If you’ve been waiting for the full reveal of the Sonata N Line, here it is. A couple of months after its initial preview, Hyundai has now officially unveiled the performance-oriented variant of this midsize sedan.
Let’s skip all the bits we’ve already seen before and head straight to what’s under the hood. Here, the Sonata packs a 2.5-liter Smartstream turbocharged GDi engine. This mill produces 290hp and 421Nm of torque, which is a significant upgrade from the 178hp and 150hp engines fitted in the regular version.
In the Sonata N Line, this powertrain is mated to an N eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. This is the same high-performance gearbox that debuted in the Veloster N a while back. This gearbox boasts features such as rev-matching and N Power Shift, which enables smooth and fast downshifting.
The Sonata N Line also sports a tuned suspension that supposedly provides a comfortable ride while promising precise handling. The car’s chassis has also been made stiffer for better on-road grip, and the rack-mounted power steering system allows for improved responsiveness.
In addition to these, the sedan has also been equipped with added niceties such as paddle shifters, a drive mode selector, and a launch function to aid in performance. There are also some safety and driver-assist technologies like forward, blind-spot, and parking collision-avoidance assist, advanced smart cruise control with stop-and-go function, and lane-keeping and follow assist.
“Hyundai has built a loyal following for Sonata by offering an array of reliable, fuel-efficient and attractively designed models, including the standard, hybrid and ‘Sensuous’ variants,” said Hyundai Motor Group executive vice president and product division head Thomas Schemera. “Now, Sonata N Line joins the lineup, satisfying the desire for dynamic performance.”
What do you make of Hyundai’s new sporty sedan? If you had to pick from the range, would you opt for the Sonata N Line?
