The next step for Hyundai's N division is a hot SUV

Following on from the unveiling of Hyundai’s all-new i30 N hot hatch, the South Korean brand has hinted at some fiery versions of its SUVs.

With so many manufacturers bringing out sportier versions of their SUVs, we wanted to know if Hyundai planned on doing the same thing with its ever-expanding SUV range and putting them under the guise of its new performance division called ‘N.’

The chief operating officer of Hyundai Europe, Thomas Schmid, said: “In the future, SUVs may even have this high-performance feeling and power – perhaps with the Kona.

“The challenge for us is that if you look into the SUV market, regardless of which segment, they are all growing and all conventional segments are slightly decreasing. This means there is a shift in the market from conventional segments to SUVs, which means that there will probably be a requirement for high performance SUVs.”

The boss of Hyundai Europe also confirmed that despite its sibling company Kia bringing out its new Stinger saloon with a fully-fledged V6 under the bonnet to rival BMW, Mercedes and Audi, Hyundai was not planning on competing in the same sector of the market.

Schmid said: “We don’t really compare ourselves with Kia, we have different strategies. Hyundai are probably the more mature and upgraded brand and Kia the sportier one.

“I don’t see the Stinger as a competitor to N, Kia want to underlie their sporty position. We have created N to emotionalise the brand, we have been missing emotion – Hyundai have excellent quality and design, but lacked emotion.”

As well as the i30 N, the new i30 Fastback was also released. When asked about this also being turned into an ‘N’ car, Schmid didn’t rule this out, saying: “It is under consideration. We will make cars if there is a demand for them, as we would with the I30 Tourer.”