The TCR touring car class of this year’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge will certainly be worth a watch. Already confirmed are stripped-out and beefed-up versions of the Honda Civic Type R, the Volkswagen Golf GTI, and the Audi RS3, and now Hyundai’s N division is joining the party.
The Korean performance brand is on a roll. The i30N road car is a
Neither of those cars
For the Veloster to be able to compete with its rivals on the track, its 2.0-liter turbo engine has been tuned up to 350hp—from 271bhp—and paired with a six-speed sequential gearbox. The race car also boasts some striking arch extensions.
Two cars will be run in the Michelin Pilot Challenge and both will be operated by Bryan Herta Autosport. We can only assume there was a monumental split down the office at some point, though, as one will be driven by veterans Michael Lewis and Mark Wilkins while the other will be piloted by youngsters Mason Filippi (20) and Harry Gottsacker (18). An intriguing intra-team battle nestled among the wider competition between Hyundai and its rivals, then.
The Veloster N TCR won’t be exclusive to the US, though. If you’ve got yourself a private race team and €135,000 (P8.03 million), then you, too, can run one if the i30N TCR isn’t quite glamorous enough.
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
