Hyundai is willing to consider the development of higher-performance versions of the i40 sedan and i30 hatchback in Europe. Those cars are sold here as the Sonata and Elantra GT, respectively, and could pave the way for hotter Hyundais to go on sale in the U.S.
According to Autocar, Hyundai Europe COO Allan Rushforth said that the company must consider performance models “if we are to expand on being a good value, reliable, and low CO2 brand.” Faster cars would help expand Hyundai’s reputation for more than just budget cars.
Rushforth told Autocar that any “Hyundai GTI” would have to involve both the i40 sedan and the smaller i30 hatchback. In addition to more power, such cars would reportedly have improved handling and braking, making them all-round performance upgrades.
Hyundai will reportedly focus its sporty efforts on expanding the reach of turbocharged engines and dual-clutch transmissions. The new Veloster Turbo already packs a 201-hp punch from a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four engine, and is available with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The Sonata 2.0T sedan features a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 274 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque.
Although Rushforth didn’t confirm it, the implication is that the Veloster Turbo powertrain could be used in other sporty Hyundais. If it were used in the i30 — and by extension, the U.S.-market Elantra GT — Hyundai would have a hot hatchback that could pose a legitimate threat to the Volkswagen GTI.
“The Veloster is the first step for our dual-clutch technology,” he told Autocar. “It’s a starting point for us and we’ll look at how we can adapt it across the range.”
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