What's the news?
Take one Hyundai Veloster body, junk everything else in it and replace with a mid-mounted turbocharged engine with drive going to the rear. This is the Hyundai RM16 concept and it has been revealed to the world at the Busan Motor Show in the car company's native South Korea.
The RM16 is a development test-bed for high-performance technologies, as Hyundai readies its 'N' sub-brand for market. The concept employs a 300hp, 2.0-litre 'theta' T-GDI petrol engine mounted in the middle of the car (so there are no rear seats), with propulsion sent to the back axle via a six-speed manual transmission. Weight is distributed 43:57 front-to-rear and the RM16's centre of gravity is less than 500mm off the deck.
It's the structure which is of most interest, though, as the RM16 has an aluminium space-frame chassis covered in carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) body panels. New technologies on the RM16 include an electric supercharger to boost the T-GDI's output and its responsiveness, an electronic limited-slip differential, and an automatically controlled rear spoiler that adjusts to optimise aerodynamics for various driving conditions. A variable noise exhaust system and adjustable bolster sports seats complete the focused driving package.
Albert Biermann, head of Hyundai Motor's Vehicle Test and High-Performance Development team, said: "RM models will continue to play an important role as the 'rolling lab' in the development of our future high-performance 'N' cars."
Alongside the RM16 on Hyundai's Busan stand (among other machines) was the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo, a one-off concept car developed for the popular racing sim series on the PlayStation - it's a wild hydrogen-powered supercar with 884hp and a CFRP monocoque construction. It is said to 'encapsulate the thrilling premise of 'N' cars'.
Anything else?
If you're thinking you've seen something like the RM16 before, you'd be right. In 2014, Hyundai revealed the RM14 at the same Korean show, while in 2015 the RM15 was unveiled in Seoul. All three of these are helping to build 'N' brand recognition ahead of the actual high-performance showroom cars we'll get.