DORTMUND, Germany, October 19, 2024 – Hyundai Motor Company’s high-performance division, Hyundai N, has announced a global partnership with KUNOS Simulazioni – creators of the popular game Assetto Corsa – to expand its high-performance driving experience into the virtual space.
Through its collaboration with KUNOS Simulazioni, unveiled today at the ADAC SimRacing Expo in Dortmund, Germany, Hyundai N is set to launch the Hyundai N Virtual Cup (HNVC). This initiative will allow motorsports enthusiasts to experience Hyundai N’s high-performance driving through the immersive world of eSports sim racing.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in bringing together Hyundai N brand fans and eSports enthusiasts,” said Joon Park, Vice President and Head of N Brand Management Group. “With the Hyundai N Virtual Cup, we aim to enhance the Hyundai N brand’s recognition and spotlight our high-performance models while providing our customers and fans with a unique opportunity to digitally experience our high-performance models through sim racing.”
The introduction of the HNVC builds on Hyundai Motor’s momentum in high-performance driving. The company recently achieved a record by winning the TCR class at the Nürburgring 24H for the fourth consecutive year. Additionally, its IONIQ 5 N – the N brand’s first high-performance electric vehicle (EV) – has gained global recognition, signaling a shift in high-performance EVs and highlighting Hyundai Motor’s ongoing investment in both motorsport and high-performance vehicles, including internal combustion engines (ICE) and EVs.
The HNVC is an innovative venture that brings together Hyundai N’s commitment to high-performance driving and the immersive world of sim racing. The tournament will be hosted on KUNOS Simulazioni’s acclaimed Assetto Corsa platform, renowned for its realistic racing experience.
The digital tournament will feature several Hyundai Motor models, including IONIQ 5 N, i20 N, i30 N, ELANTRA N TCR and others. As the most successful touring car currently competing in global motorsport having won 10 titles alone in the 2023 season, the ELANTRA N TCR will be available as the in-game racing vehicle in the new Assetto Corsa EVO game, set to launch in 2025.
The tournament will consist of online regional qualification and semi-final competitions linked to four Regional HQs: Korea, USA, Europe and China. The HNVC will begin with pre-qualification rounds held online from October 21 to November 11, during which the top 40 players from each region will be selected, totaling 160 players.
This will be followed by regional qualification rounds from November 20 to December 1, narrowing the field to the top 20 players per region for a total of 80 players. The regional semi-finals will take place online from December 7 to 15, with the top five players from each region selected for a total of 20 players. The tournament will culminate in the World Final, held offline on January 11, 2025. The total prize money for the competition is set at $100,000, with the overall winner receiving $20,000.
The HNVC is a unique opportunity for Hyundai N brand fans and eSports enthusiasts to engage with the brand in a new and exciting way. The tournament will provide a global platform to promote Hyundai N products and showcase the brand’s dedication to high-performance vehicles and innovative experiences.