The rebirth of the Renault Clio Cup car, except with less kill you. Cool!
I'd rock one, as a post-Powerball track toy.
It looks like the Hyundai Veloster N TCR but inside is a bit different: Instead of the typical front-engine, front-drive layout, this new RM19 Racing Midship Sports Car features a mid-engine arrangement along with rear-wheel drive.
The RM19 is powered by an unrestricted version of the engine found in the brand’s TCR car. Output is said to be about 390 horsepower. The layout, Hyundai says, could also accommodate electric and/or hybrid drivetrains.
So, the big question for the rest of the class: Would you rock it?
Scroll down for the formal release:
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2019 – Hyundai Motor Company today introduced the RM19 Racing Midship Sports Car to global media at 2019 AutoMobility LA. RM refers to the N prototype model’s “Racing Midship” body configuration, a key differentiator providing supercar-level handling balance and low-polar-moment-of-inertia agility for outstanding connection to the tarmac at all speeds and driving conditions.
In 2012, Hyundai embarked on a project called RM (Racing Midship) to develop and connect new high-performance motorsports technologies with future N models. Since the initiation of project RM and via evolution of the RM series (RM14, RM15 and RM16), RM models underwent extensive road testing to validate newly-developed technologies, observe their effects on performance, and improve them for subsequent application on future N models.
“The RM platform is a versatile engineering testbed, allowing effective evaluation of various powertrains and performance levels, all on normal roads and environments,” said Albert Biermann, head of global research and development for Hyundai Motor Company. “Throughout the evolution of the RM series, our engineers have gained tremendous hands-on knowledge of high performance vehicle dynamics with various front-to-rear weight distributions coupled with the effects of a fully-weighted, high-strength body structure on vehicle performance.”
Featuring the most powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected engine of its kind, with an output of 390 horsepower, RM19 is expected to yield impressive zero-60 mph performance under four seconds. RM19 shares the 2.0-liter turbo engine with TCR racecars from Hyundai N development. However, unlike TCR racecars which are affected by BOP (Balance of Performance) adjustments, RM19 offers extra boost of its output without these BOP restrictions. RM19 offers racecar-like levels of performance, balance, braking and grip while retaining daily road-going capability.
In addition to the gasoline version, state-of-the-art electrified powertrains could provide clean, yet thrilling propulsion for the RM19. As Hyundai boasts an industry-leading variety of electrified propulsion, including production HEV, PHEV, BEV and FCEV powertrains, various types of electrified powertrains are available for testing a high-performance electric sports car. With the recent investment and strategic partnership with Rimac Automobili, Hyundai works closely together with Rimac to develop high-performance Electric and FCEV prototypes. Hyundai Motor Group has a strategic plan to deploy 44 eco-friendly models by 2025, taking the Hyundai N brand well into the environmentally-focused third decade of the twenty-first century.
“The RM19 sports car signals future brand aspirations for Hyundai’s high-performance N brand, solidly moving N into the prestigious arena of supercar-level performance,” said Thomas Schemera, executive vice president and head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Product Division. “Hyundai N will not only increase heartbeats per minute via powerful internal combustion engines, but also through the instantaneous torque and environmental sustainability of electrified powertrains moving forward.”
The ‘N’ of Hyundai N stands for Namyang, home to Hyundai Motor’s global R&D Center in Korea since 1995, where the N concept was born, and for the Nürburgring, home to Hyundai Motor’s European Test Center. The close connection between Namyang and the Nürburgring created the foundation for N, building upon the company’s motorsport experience to bring thrilling road dynamics for those customers who truly love driving. The ‘N’ logo itself embodies this idea, as it symbolizes a classic road course chicane.
Hyundai N’s high-performance technologies are honed at the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife. Each car taking part in Hyundai Motor’s accelerated durability tests will lap the track 420 to 480 times in both wet and dry conditions, simulating over 100,000 miles of severe driving in just four short weeks. The Nürburgring, with 73 corners and 13 miles of tarmac, is widely considered to be one of the most challenging tracks in the world, with a heritage that is second to none. It is also a motorsports complex and home to Hyundai Motor’s own 3,600 square meter testing center, which is operated by the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center.
RM19 (N Brand Prototype - Internal Combustion Engine) Specifications
Concept Name RM19 (Hyundai N brand prototype)
Concept Mid-ship Rear-drive high-performance vehicle with
gasoline-powered, turbocharged internal combustion engine
Body Configuration Two-seat, Two-door Coupe
Aluminum extrusion front subframe
Steel tube and plate rear subframe
Powertrain Layout Mid-engine, Rear Drive
Aerodynamics Large wing spoiler and rear air ducting for powertrain
Engine Enhanced Touring Car Racing (TCR) engine
2.0L Turbo with > 390 horsepower (TBD)
Gearbox 6 Speed Sequential Gearbox
(Identical TCR gearbox w/optimized gear ratios)
Top Speed > 250 KPH (> 155 MPH)
* speed limited for public road driving
Suspension Type (Front) MacPherson / (Rear) Double-Wishbone
(Adjustable hard points and geometry)
Dampers Conventional gas-pressure dampers
Brake 6-piston (front) / 4-piston (rear)
Parking Brake Mechanical type, in rear
ABS System Motorsport ABS M5 (Bosch)
* Not valid for public roads
Steering Assist Rack-mounted Motor-Driven Power Steering
Steering Wheel Design Veloster N TCR Design (with Paddle Shifters)
Overall Dimensions (mm) 4319 (Length) x 1945 (Width) x 1354 (Height) /
2672 (Wheelbase)
Overhang (mm) 899 (front) / 748 (rear)
Minimum Ground Clearance 100 mm
Tires (Front) 245/30R20, (Rear) 305/30R20
Wheels 20” X 8.5J (front) / 20” X 11.0J (rear)
One-piece Lightweight Forged Aluminum Alloy Wheels
Larger, flared wheel housing design
The rebirth of the Renault Clio Cup car, except with less kill you. Cool!
I'd rock one, as a post-Powerball track toy.
I think I missed something. What did they announce? That they have a testbed car like this?
Its not a car anyone can buy and its not setup to participate in any race series, right?
Hawt
I'm curious if we'll see a street-going version. Seems unlikely, but then again, we got dumb stuff like the Juke R and and the AMG G63 6x6, so there could be a chance. Either that, or maybe some insane soul will somehow put one on the street like that guy with the Saleen SR Widebody.
What did they announce? That they have a testbed car like this?
Its not a car anyone can buy and its not setup to participate in any race series, right?
The way the release is worded makes it seem like the main point of talking about this car is to convince current and prospective Hyundai/N buyers that there are big things in the works specifically for street cars. Which makes sense, because if you showed me this car and didn't explicitly convince me it was relevant to a street car I would immediately lose interest.
I'd drive it to work every morning. For less than 55k. And it better have that warranty.
Featuring the most powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected engine of its kind, with an output of 390 horsepower,
I think I squeeked a little
Duke said:The rebirth of the Renault Clio Cup car, except with less kill you. Cool!
I'd rock one, as a post-Powerball track toy.
See also: Renault R5 Turbo. 
Love it, but what racing series is it eligible to run in?
It seems like a press release saying they built a cool car you cannot buy and they cannot race, which makes it a bit hard to be too excited about it.
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