Hyundai's N division launched with the mighty i30N, a hot-hatch to rival the likes of the mighty Golf GTI. A sign that the brand now had arrived and was able to take on the mighty German marques. However, in a recent interview with Top Gear UK, Albert Biermann who oversees Hyundai's N performance brand revealed the manufacturer did work on a mid-engine supercar.. Somewhat surprising when compared to Hyundai's other N cars. Consisting of two hot hatchbacks the i20N and i30N as well as the SUV Kona N, the N range focuses on affordable performance cars. Costs are low by using the brand's pre-existing models. A supercar would surely draw attention to the brand. But just like when the NSX returned it would seem out of place in the brand's dealerships.

Since Hyundai's N division launched back in 2018, the company has pushed the limits of the Hyundai brand but stayed somewhat constrained. A few years ago rumors suggested that the company would bring a 2.3-liter turbo 4-cylinder to their lineup. The i30N only uses a 2.0-liter engine and produces 250 horsepower. At the same time, Ford extracted 345 horsepower from the 2.3 liters four-cylinder in the Focus RS. This hasn't yet come to fruition, but with the N division's origins and the current crop of concept cars, we might yet see a Hyundai supercar that uses such an engine in hybrid form.

The N division's first car was nearly an R8 chasing an all-wheel-drive mid-engined supercar.

This Is Why Hyundai Should Build A Supercar

Hyundai i30 N
Via: Hyundai

When a car manufacturer builds their first supercar it turns the marque into something quite special. Take for example the Audi R8, when the first generation car arrived, it made Audi a more appealing brand. With a lineup consisting of largely, businessmen express, Audi didn't scream youthful excitement, not even the excellent RS4 or RS6. Another brand that experienced the same effect was Honda. With the launch of the NSX, the budget brand introduced a lineup of VTEC powered hot hatchbacks that still carry great reverence with the current Civic Type R. If Hyundai launched their performance division with a true supercar the brand would surely achieve the same effect.

However, Hyundai's board cut Biermann's project. With both the Audi R8 and Honda or Acura NSX costing over $100,000 these cars were never cheap. In the run-up to both of these car launches, the brands moved further upmarket. With Audi taking on the BMW 3 and 5 Series. Acura sold more premium cars internationally as well. For Hyundai, the sister brand of the often more upmarket Kia, to ask between $100,000 and $200,000 for a Hyundai would seem insane. After all, Hyundai sells the budget oriented i10, largely available in Asian and European markets. So small it doesn't even make the cut to sell in the United States. If it did, it would sell for less than $16,000.

Hyundai Might Still Make A Super Car

Hyundai N Vision 74 Front End
Hyundai

This idea clearly still sticks in the mind of Hyundai's engineers. The RM 19 essentially comes as a track-going Veloster. According to Hyundai, RM stands for "Racing Midship". This project works to develop future technologies for Hyundai N models and continues to evolve as their brand develops. The brand currently has two major concept cars in the public eye. Earlier this summer Hyundai hosted the N-day digital world premiere. According to Hyundai, this glimpse into the future was "praised by the international media", featuring both an EV and a hydrogen car Hyundai commit to developing their models.

RELATED:Here's What Makes The Hyundai N Vision 74 One Of The Coolest Concept Cars Ever

The N Vision 74 currently steals headlines in the automotive press. Representing the future and past this concept comes as a driving contradiction. Taking the faux futurism of the Delorean, a dash of Toyota AE86 Corolla, and Hyundai's own Pony Coupe concept it takes the powertrain from the 2015 N Vision Gran Turismo. According to Hyundai, "Its design exceeds all expectations of what a future high-performance car should look like". The cockpit takes inspiration from the Pony concept car with what Hyundai calls a piston design. Simply and driver-focused this certainly ticks plenty of boxes to hold the title of a supercar. Hyundai writes, "Long range and fast refueling characteristics of hydrogen fuel cells will change the way we enjoy driving. Even the way we race in motorsports". Hyundai clearly sees that the future doesn't just lie in the EV.

EVs Stand In The Way Of Hyundai's Supercar

rn22e_section_in-img04
via Hyundai

Hyundai's second futuristic concept the RN22e presents another radical vision for the future. Using the company's E-GMP platform this car shows the future for performance saloons. Using the Hyundai Prophecy concept's coupe-inspired design it takes clear hints from the Porsche Taycan. With a functional concept car, the Korean marque calls this a "Rolling Lab". Clearly, the brand understands the importance of the EV, as the Ioniq 5 N will arrive in 2023.

RELATED:10 Things We Love About The Hyundai RN22e Concept Car

With the market demanding fast EVs and legendary cars like the Lexus LFA returning at least in spirit as battery-powered vehicles, even if Hyundai launched a supercar it would likely not have a long life. With the brand dabbling in EVs and hydrogen powertrains then an N division supercar might be on the horizon once these technologies develop further. However, with Albert Biermann working only in a consultancy role and soon heading for retirement, the N division's appetite for such a model may soon subside.