HYUNDAI MOTOR RUNS THREE CARS AT THE NÜRBURGRING 24H RACE INCLUDING i30 2.0 TURBO DEVELOPMENT CAR

May 24, 2016 by Hyundai

◾Hyundai to conduct performance powertrain production trial at iconic endurance race

◾Hyundai i30 2.0-litre Turbo development car is one of three cars to contest the race

◾Nürburgring 24h race is part of the development of motorsport-inspired N models

High Wycombe, 24 May 2016 – Hyundai Motor will run three cars at the iconic Nürburgring 24h Race, taking place from May 26 to 29, as part of the company's motorsport-inspired development of its high performance sub-brand 'N'. Hyundai Motor will race two production-car-based models - i30 1.6 Turbo (#133) and a Veloster (#134), as well as the development car i30 2.0 Turbo.

The i30 1.6 Turbo will focus on defending its 2015 class win, while the i30 2.0 Turbo (#102) development car will concentrate on enhancing understanding of performance technologies ahead of Hyundai Motor's future high-performance N sub-brand models. The i30 2.0 Turbo will run to tackle the challenging German circuit in an intensive test of the new performance-focused powerplant.

'This Nürburgring 24h race provides the ideal test bed for our motorsport-inspired N sub-brand development and a key part of our 'born at Namyang, honed at Nürburgring' performance-car ethos. The technological inspiration and experience gained from this extreme testing will accelerate our development of high-performance, fun-to-drive N models,' said Albert Biermann, Hyundai Motor Head of Vehicle Test and High Performance Development.

Around 40% of the development i30 2.0 Turbo is new with its newly-developed engine, plus enhanced transmission, suspension, dampers, in addition to upgrades in other areas as wheels, steering, wider fenders and the safety features that are obligatory in motor racing. The URL for the video clip containing more information on the 2.0 Turbo engine is as follows: https://youtu.be/BVmY3t2SjHE.

In September 2015, Hyundai Motor presented the prospect of its future performance N sub-brand models focused on delivering maximum driving pleasure to true motoring enthusiasts. With this goal in mind and as part of the 'born at Namyang, honed at Nürburgring' programme, development engineers and technicians have, for several years, carried-out 'accelerated endurance tests' with its production cars and now use the Nürburgring also for intense tuning of the N high-performance vehicles.

The development car that will compete in the Nürburgring race was built for Hyundai Motor by race car designers and Hyundai dealership - Schumann. The two other Hyundai Motor racing cars already run were also designed and built by the Schumann motorsport department.

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Hyundai Motor has its own 3,600 square metre testing center at the Nürburgring operated by the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center. The technical team based in Germany takes advantage of the Nordschleife's 73 corners, gradients of up to 17% and a difference in altitude of some 300 meters, in order to perform a host of demanding tests. The 'accelerated endurance tests' consist of 480 Nordschleife laps (10,000km), completed over the course in just a few weeks. The intensity of the test simulates more than 150,000km in typical daily traffic.

Cars competing in the Nürburgring 24h race will complete some 150 laps on the 25.4km circuit – resulting in a total of 4,250km of extremely grueling driving. The Hyundai i30 2.0 Turbo will be raced by one of the test drivers who also carries-out Hyundai Motor's endurance tests at the Nordschleife: Bruno Beulen. He will alternate at the wheel of the car with Nordschleife specialist, Michael Bohrer, as well as Alexander Köppen and Rory Pentinnen.

While the Hyundai Motor team is keen on achieving a strong result, the core focus of the development car is to gather motor-racing experience to enhance future mass production of N sub-brand performance cars.

About Hyundai Motor

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is committed to becoming a lifetime partner in automobiles and beyond. The company leads the Hyundai Motor Group, an innovative business structure capable of circulating resources from molten iron to finished cars. Hyundai Motor has eight manufacturing bases and seven design & technical centers worldwide and in 2015 sold 4.96 million vehicles globally. With more than 110,000 employees worldwide, Hyundai Motor continues to enhance its product line-up with localized models and strives to strengthen its leadership in clean technology, starting with the world's first mass-produced hydrogen-powered vehicle, ix35 Fuel Cell and IONIQ, the world's first model with three electrified powertrains in a single body type.

About Hyundai Motor UK

Hyundai Motor has sold in the UK since 1982 and since then has sold over 1 million vehicles. In 2005, Hyundai opened its own UK subsidiary, Hyundai Motor UK Ltd, based in High Wycombe. Since 2008, the company has risen from 21st to one of the top manufacturers in the UK and last year sold a record 88,257 vehicles. Hyundai Motor UK employs over 3000 people through its UK operations and dealer network.

Hyundai offers a full range of vehicles from the award-winning New Generation i10 city car through to the capable Santa Fe SUV and iLoad LCV. All passenger cars come with Hyundai's industry-leading 5 Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty package. Further information about Hyundai and its products is available at www.hyundai.co.uk.