2025.03.12 Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai N: Motorsport Championship DNA Meets the Spirit of a Legend
Hyundai has introduced two special edition models that encapsulate the technology and experience of Hyundai N, created for those who truly love driving. Meet the Elantra N TCR Edition and the IONIQ 5 N DK Edition.
What Makes a "Special Edition" Truly Special? The term Special Edition is often used in the automotive world to describe models with unique specifications or design tweaks. Many automakers release special editions that simply feature different paint colors or minor upgrades. But a truly special model must embody a distinct purpose and undeniable value—just like the two new special editions from Hyundai’s high-performance N brand.
Bringing Motorsport Victory to You – Elantra N TCR Edition
The Elantra N TCR Edition is a road-going tribute to the Elantra N TCR, a race car that has made a name for itself in the TCR World Tour, one of the world’s top touring car championships. Designed for driving enthusiasts and motorsport fans, this special edition is a celebration of Hyundai’s racing legacy.
TCR (Touring Car Racing) is a motorsport series where race cars are built from production models. Unlike other racing formats where manufacturers directly field factory teams, TCR allows independent teams to purchase and compete with manufacturer-built race cars. Only the best-engineered, most capable race cars earn their place on the grid—and Hyundai has become a dominant force in TCR racing. Over the past seven years, Hyundai has clinched five team and driver championship titles, proving its supremacy in the sport. However, this success didn’t come easily.
Hyundai entered the TCR scene in 2016, developing the i30 N TCR. After a victorious debut at the end of the 2017 season, the car became a powerhouse in WTCR (World Touring Car Racing, the predecessor to the TCR World Tour). In 2018 and 2019, legendary drivers Gabriele Tarquini and Norbert Michelisz secured back-to-back World Champion titles. However, with success came challenges. The Balance of Performance (BoP) regulations—designed to level the playing field—frequently imposed performance restrictions on the i30 N TCR due to its dominance.
Refusing to be held back, Hyundai responded in 2021 by introducing the Elantra N TCR, continuing its march to the top. In 2022, Mikel Azcona took the WTCR championship, closing out that era with a victory. As the TCR World Tour launched in 2023, Hyundai continued its winning streak. Norbert Michelisz secured back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024, marking a new era of dominance. In 2024, Hyundai’s Elantra N TCR drivers achieved an unprecedented triple crown, winning the TCR World Tour, TCR China, and TCR Asia. This marked Hyundai’s third consecutive year of global TCR supremacy, proving its unbeatable engineering.
The Elantra N TCR Edition is infused with the spirit of champions. Built on the insights gained from TCR racing, it incorporates high-performance enhancements designed to elevate the driving experience.
Key upgrades include:
* Swan Neck Carbon Spoiler – Adjustable for different driving conditions, this motorsport-derived aerodynamic feature increases downforce and stability. Inspired by race car technology, Hyundai’s first production carbon swan neck spoiler blends performance with street legality. Crafted with a carbon fiber upper plate and aluminum brackets, it offers lightweight durability and exceptional strength.
* 19-inch Forged N TCR Wheels – These ultra-lightweight, high-strength wheels are paired with the N Performance 4P Brake System, featuring 4-piston monoblock calipers and large-diameter discs for superior stopping power.
Every element of the Elantra N TCR Edition is a direct reflection of Hyundai’s motorsport expertise, fine-tuned for driving enthusiasts who crave performance. This isn’t just a special edition—it’s a piece of Hyundai’s winning formula brought to life.
The Elantra N TCR Edition isn’t just about performance—it also stands out with exclusive design details. A TCR Edition emblem and custom exterior decals enhance its presence, while the interior features N’s signature Performance Blue accents. The Alcantara steering wheel includes a blue hash mark at the 12 o’clock position, perfect for precise driving, and the first-row seat belts are also finished in Performance Blue. These elements reinforce the special feeling of driving a car built with motorsport DNA, ensuring N enthusiasts feel right at home.
The Elantra N TCR Edition is more than just a celebration of racing victories—it’s proof that Hyundai N is constantly refining its cars through motorsport. Every lesson learned on the track translates to better performance, durability, and engineering in road cars. Hyundai’s mission is clear: “Bringing motorsport passion to the road—and into your everyday life.” This special model encapsulates that goal, delivering an experience that lets you feel the thrill of motorsport every time you drive.
Drift King Meets Hyundai N Engineering – The IONIQ 5 N DK Edition
Tuning is the heartbeat of car culture—it’s how drivers express their personality and refine their vehicles to match their vision. Even the most well-engineered cars leave enthusiasts with a desire to push further. That’s why the world’s most celebrated sports cars have huge tuning communities built around them. Hyundai understands this passion. The brand has been actively expanding the N tuning ecosystem, offering more ways for drivers to personalize their cars.
At the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, Hyundai unveiled the IONIQ 5 N Performance Concept NPX1, a showcase of upcoming N Performance Parts designed to enhance the IONIQ 5 N. And just a year later, at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, Hyundai debuted something truly special—the IONIQ 5 N DK Edition, developed in collaboration with legendary Japanese racer Keiichi Tsuchiya. This edition offers more than just exclusive parts—it lets drivers experience a setup personally tuned by the Drift King himself.
The “DK” in IONIQ 5 N DK Edition comes from Drift King, the nickname of Keiichi Tsuchiya—a living legend in motorsports. Tsuchiya is widely credited with popularizing drifting, both as a competitive sport and a global driving phenomenon. He pioneered drifting techniques in professional racing, showcased them in media, and even helped establish drift competition leagues.
To develop this special edition, Hyundai N worked closely with Tsuchiya, testing various tuning components on Japan’s circuits and winding roads. “The Ioniq 5 N is an exceptionally well-built vehicle,” Tsuchiya says. “With each drive, it offered a sense of wonder and excitement. What would it be like to customize the ultimate high-performance EV to match my driving energy?”
Tsuchiya’s personal tuning preferences are evident in every component upgrade.
The IONIQ 5 N DK Edition boasts:
* 6-Piston Monoblock Brake Calipers – Precision-machined from Duralumin, a high-strength aluminum alloy used in aerospace and motorsports.
* 54% Larger Brake Pads – Enhanced friction coefficient for superior braking power.
* Lightweight 21-inch Forged Wheels – Bigger and lighter for better handling and acceleration.
* Lowering Springs – Optimized ride height for a lower center of gravity and improved stability.
Brakes are the most crucial element in performance driving. Controlling speed precisely not only enhances safety but also enables advanced driving techniques like drifting and cornering at high speeds. To ensure exceptional stopping power, the IONIQ 5 N DK Edition is equipped with high-strength Duralumin calipers, paired with 54% larger brake pads. These pads offer enhanced heat resistance and friction performance, providing confidence-inspiring braking in any condition.
During testing, Tsuchiya experimented with various adjustable suspension systems but ultimately found that nothing surpassed the IONIQ 5 N’s factory electronic dampers. Instead of replacing them, he worked with Hyundai N engineers to develop custom lowering springs that complement the stock suspension. These lowering springs drop the ride height by 15mm, reducing the center of gravity while maintaining a predictable, stable driving feel.
Taking cues from Hyundai N’s motorsport expertise, the IONIQ 5 N DK Edition features Knurling Beads (textured bead seats) on its lightweight 21-inch forged wheels. This special machining process enhances tire grip under high-speed conditions, ensuring a stronger bond between the wheel and tire. In cornering, wheels play a critical role—they work in tandem with the suspension, affecting steering response, stability, and handling precision. To optimize this, the IONIQ 5 N DK Edition is equipped with lightweight, high-response forged wheels that shed a total of 10.6 kg (23.4 lbs) across all four wheels, while increasing rim width to 10.0J. The result? Sharper handling and heightened control, allowing drivers to push their limits with confidence.
Hyundai N didn’t stop at wheels—the IONIQ 5 N DK Edition is also fitted with carbon aero parts designed to maximize downforce on both mountain roads and racetracks. This special edition features a carbon front splitter, carbon rear wing spoiler, carbon side skirts, and a carbon rear diffuser. These upgrades significantly enhance high-speed stability, increasing downforce by 93 kgf (205 lbs) at 140 km/h (87 mph) compared to the standard IONIQ 5 N.
The IONIQ 5 N DK Edition represents the perfect fusion of Keiichi Tsuchiya’s racing instincts and Hyundai N’s engineering. With its sharp handling, dynamic performance, and high-speed stability, this model is designed to be thrilling on the track, on winding roads, and in everyday driving. But this isn’t just a show car—the DK Edition is a true limited-production special, with only 50 units available worldwide. Sales will begin in South Korea and Japan in early 2025, followed by a global rollout.
In keeping with its one-of-a-kind status, the DK Edition will be paired with an exclusive customer experience program. Hyundai N will offer:
* Priority Access – Interested buyers can register early for exclusive information about the DK Edition.
* Private Showroom Preview – Pre-order customers will be invited to a private viewing, where they can explore the design, performance, and development process in detail.
* Meet the Drift King Himself – Buyers will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Keiichi Tsuchiya at the “N × DK Track Day” in Fall 2025. This event will be exclusive to DK Edition owners, featuring insider stories from Tsuchiya about its development, along with on-track driving sessions.
The DK Edition isn’t just a car—it’s an experience that celebrates the evolution of tuning culture and high-performance EVs. By offering factory-built, perfectly balanced tuning, Hyundai is bridging the gap for enthusiasts. For hardcore tuners, it provides a perfect base for further customization. And for those new to tuning, it delivers a fully optimized, ready-to-drive package—without the hassle of aftermarket experimentation. The IONIQ 5 N DK Edition is both a collector’s item and a tuning blueprint, proving that Hyundai N is serious about shaping the future of EV performance culture.
Hyundai N’s Passion for Driving Shines Through
For those who truly love driving, Hyundai N’s two new special editions are impossible to ignore. Rather than settling for already impressive performance, Hyundai infused them with motorsport-winning experience and a legendary tuner’s touch—pushing automotive engineering to new heights. What makes them even more exciting? They’re within reach. The Elantra N TCR Edition proved this when all 50 units sold out in just one month after launching in South Korea. Now, with the IONIQ 5 N DK Edition’s pre-orders already generating buzz, the demand for N’s exclusive, high-performance creations is stronger than ever.
Hyundai N understands what true enthusiasts want. It has built ICE and EV performance cars that keep the joy of driving alive, while maintaining affordability and accessibility. And they aren’t stopping—each new model raises the bar, capturing the hearts of more and more drivers. If the Elantra N TCR Edition and IONIQ 5 N DK Edition are anything to go by, Hyundai N will continue delivering cars that excite and inspire, ensuring the thrill of driving lives on.
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