Hyundai has come a good distance from its early days as a budget-friendly carmaker. Over the previous decade, the Korean model has made critical strides in efficiency, with fashions just like the Elantra N and Ioniq 5 N proving it may go head-to-head with premium automakers. Hyundai’s push into efficiency isn’t occurring by chance. A serious turning level got here in 2015, when the corporate employed Albert Biermann, a veteran BMW M Division engineer who had spent greater than three a long time serving to develop BMW’s M vehicles. Now, it appears to be like like Hyundai is making ready to take one other step ahead with N Sport, a newly trademarked identify that implies a efficiency lineup designed to rival BMW’s M Efficiency fashions.
On February 27, 2025, Hyundai filed a U.S. trademark utility for “N Sport”, masking a variety of vehicle-related merchandise. Whereas automakers incessantly trademark names with out utilizing them, this submitting stood out as a result of it included an emblem. The design carefully resembles Hyundai’s present N Line badge, however with “Sport” written in italics on a grey background—indicating that that is greater than only a placeholder identify.
If Hyundai follows the BMW M Efficiency system, the N Sport lineup would slot between base fashions and full-fledged N vehicles. Hyundai may additionally apply this system to its rising electrical lineup, creating an Ioniq 6 N Sport with delicate energy and chassis upgrades—simply as BMW has achieved with the i4 M50. Talking of the latter, the i4 M50 can also be BMW M’s finest promoting automotive in 2024.
The BMW Blueprint: What Hyundai is Following
Hyundai isn’t making an attempt to reinvent the wheel right here. BMW has spent years perfecting the three-tier efficiency hierarchy that Hyundai now appears to be adopting. On the base degree, BMW provides M Sport packages, which add extra aggressive styling however don’t contact the engine. Then, there are M Efficiency fashions, which characteristic actual mechanical upgrades—stronger engines, sportier suspension setups, and extra dynamic dealing with—whereas remaining comfy sufficient for day by day use. On the prime, BMW has its full M vehicles, designed for critical efficiency and monitor functionality. A few of the hottest M Efficiency fashions are the M340i, M340d (in Europe), M240i, X3 M40 and the aforementioned i4 M50.
The largest query for Hyundai is whether or not N Sport shall be greater than only a badge. Some automakers, like Mercedes-Benz, have used their mid-level efficiency branding—just like the AMG 43 fashions—to ship actual mechanical upgrades, whereas others, like Audi with its S-Line trims, have principally caught to visible enhancements.
Biermann’s Affect
At Hyundai, Biermann was tasked with constructing a real efficiency division from scratch. Beneath his management, the N model was born, and the outcomes communicate for themselves. The i30 N and Elantra N gained over skeptics, proving that Hyundai may produce vehicles with sharp dealing with, participating driving dynamics, and track-worthy efficiency. The Kia Stinger, one other product of Biermann’s tenure, grew to become a stunning sports activities sedan rival to German choices.
Biermann finally grew to become Hyundai’s Head of R&D, shaping not simply the N division however your entire firm’s strategy to driving dynamics. Although he retired from his govt position in 2021, he continues to work as an advisor for Hyundai, guaranteeing that his performance-driven philosophy stays a part of the model’s DNA. For now, Hyundai hasn’t formally confirmed any plans for N Sport, and a trademark submitting doesn’t assure manufacturing. [Source: CarMoses]
