Saturday 29th October 2016

Hyundai RM16 N spied

Remember that 300hp, mid-engined Veloster concept? Looks like Hyundai might actually build it!

---

Last April Hyundai revealed the RM15 concept. Very nice it looked too, with its mid-engined, rear-wheel drive layout, carbon panels and jazzy graphics. What was underneath sounded encouraging as well: 300hp 2.0-litre turbo, six-speed manual, 1,260kg.

Well now this does look promising

But surely Hyundai would never make such a thing, would it? Well let's not be too sure, because these pictures have just emerged of a Nurburgring test mule looking remarkably similar to the concept. It's low and wide, with all the vents and scoops suggesting a mid-engined layout. There are spoilers, big wheels, Brembo calipers and some fantastically flared arches too. It looks ruddy brilliant in fact, even cloaked in its test disguise.

Interestingly our spy sources are calling this car the RM16 N; R (rear-wheel drive) and M (mid-engined) are familiar from 2015, with '16' denoting that it's this year's car. More important is the 'N', Hyundai's performance brand and a suggestion that this will make production. Certainly there are details on this car - the Hyundai badges are even in place - that imply it's not a million miles from the showroom. Launching this with the i30 hot hatch would be a guaranteed way of attracting attention!

We've been told that the RM16 N is expected to arrive as a 2018 model. Certainly this is one we'll be paying very close attention to over the coming months. If you thought the rear-wheel drive coupe was dead, hopefully it's time to think again!

Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

[BigMacDaddy]

Definitely interested in how this develops....... It's a funny looking thing (in a good way, although without the camouflage it may well look totally different!). The rear quarter kind of looks Clio V6(ish), and weirdly on the side-on shot the curved bit at the rear momentarily reminded me of a Veyron (yeah yeah, should have gone to spec savers lol)

[paulyv]

Should have called it the M (mid-engined), R (rear-wheel drive), 2 (2 seate........oh

[matpilch]

surely with such short wheelbase, rwd and 300bhp it'll be lairy as foook?

[Mafffew]

BigMacDaddy said:

Definitely interested in how this develops....... It's a funny looking thing (in a good way, although without the camouflage it may well look totally different!). The rear quarter kind of looks Clio V6(ish), and weirdly on the side-on shot the curved bit at the rear momentarily reminded me of a Veyron (yeah yeah, should have gone to spec savers lol)

Agree with the Clio V6 comment, very very interested to see how this pans out. Hopefully it goes into production.

[Gecko1978]

Mafffew said:

BigMacDaddy said:

Definitely interested in how this develops....... It's a funny looking thing (in a good way, although without the camouflage it may well look totally different!). The rear quarter kind of looks Clio V6(ish), and weirdly on the side-on shot the curved bit at the rear momentarily reminded me of a Veyron (yeah yeah, should have gone to spec savers lol)

Agree with the Clio V6 comment, very very interested to see how this pans out. Hopefully it goes into production.

I say a sort of cartoon veyron in there two imagin take off the camouflage and theres a clear engine cover or maybe the exposde radiators.

Looks good an 300bhp mid engin turbo charged hmmm tunning ahoy me thinks

[Dave Hedgehog]

looks at prices of V6 Renaults

hmm

this could be one to buy

[Crouchydc]

It looks interesting but how much will people really pay for a small hyundai hatchback. At least initially it will depreciate like a brick too. Having said that I hope it makes production.

[kambites]

I'd love to see it happen. Someone has to take over Renaults "loony mid-engined hatchback" mantle now they've gone all boring.

Assuming it's Velostar based, I hope they leave the rear door in for engine access; that would be a nice touch.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 25th October 11:19

[vz-r_dave]

Crouchydc said:

It looks interesting but how much will people really pay for a small hyundai hatchback. At least initially it will depreciate like a brick too. Having said that I hope it makes production.

Not if its a limited mid engine rwd special it won't but lets see.

[TerryThomas]

Blimey! Well done Hyundai for even thinking about it. Get it built!

[V8 FOU]

Hyudai performance in the WRC hasn't been too shabby, so this would slot in well with the ethos created.

[GTEYE]

vz-r_dave said:

Crouchydc said:

It looks interesting but how much will people really pay for a small hyundai hatchback. At least initially it will depreciate like a brick too. Having said that I hope it makes production.

Not if its a limited mid engine rwd special it won't but lets see.

It will if it has a Hyundai badge on it, and probably a £40k price tag.

It will be an interesting failure.

[DanielSan]

Suddenly the RS.16 Clio seems a bit, well, st.

[DanielSan]

Suddenly the RS.16 Clio seems a bit, well, st.

[sinbaddio]

paulyv said:

Should have called it the M (mid-engined), R (rear-wheel drive), 2 (2 seate........oh

If I remember correctly, the RM stands for Racing Mid-engined, or Racing Midship. Something like that anyway.

[j90gta]

sinbaddio said:

paulyv said:

Should have called it the M (mid-engined), R (rear-wheel drive), 2 (2 seate........oh

If I remember correctly, the RM stands for Racing Mid-engined, or Racing Midship. Something like that anyway.

The MR2 was the Midship Runabout. Seem to recall they had to call it something else in France; you couldn't sell a car pronounced "merde"...

[Dafuq]

Mafffew said:

BigMacDaddy said:

Definitely interested in how this develops....... It's a funny looking thing (in a good way, although without the camouflage it may well look totally different!). The rear quarter kind of looks Clio V6(ish), and weirdly on the side-on shot the curved bit at the rear momentarily reminded me of a Veyron (yeah yeah, should have gone to spec savers lol)

Agree with the Clio V6 comment, very very interested to see how this pans out. Hopefully it goes into production.

Yup, my grey matter instantly alerted my recognition department with a 'hang on..... isn't that a modern day mid engined rear wheel drive homage to the V6 Clio?'

I bloody well hope it is and that it shares the 'vas te faire encule' to those attempting make it behave itself as the Clio did.

Those things are bonkers, and I truly hope they make this and it is too. Could see myself breaking open the piggy bank for this.

[vz-r_dave]

GTEYE said:

vz-r_dave said:

Crouchydc said:

It looks interesting but how much will people really pay for a small hyundai hatchback. At least initially it will depreciate like a brick too. Having said that I hope it makes production.

Not if its a limited mid engine rwd special it won't but lets see.

It will if it has a Hyundai badge on it, and probably a £40k price tag.

It will be an interesting failure.

What a nobbish thing to say, yes an interesting failure indeed.

[anonymous-user]

the thing is modern cars are pretty safe places, but this is what hot hatches should be about, something different than the German stuff on lease.

[vsonix]

BigMacDaddy said:

Definitely interested in how this develops....... It's a funny looking thing (in a good way, although without the camouflage it may well look totally different!). The rear quarter kind of looks Clio V6(ish), and weirdly on the side-on shot the curved bit at the rear momentarily reminded me of a Veyron (yeah yeah, should have gone to spec savers lol)

Absolutely - judging by the one or two Veloster's I've seen on the road, it'll be better-looking with the camouflage still in place, haha