FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Nov. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai today announced that the 2021 Sonata N Line adds N Brand design elements, chassis upgrades, and an exclusive Smartstream 2.5-liter turbocharged engine mated to a new N Eight-Speed Wet Dual-Clutch Transmission (N DCT) to a SEL Plus trim Sonata. "N" signifies high performance at Hyundai, and our latest creation is the 290-horsepower Sonata N Line sedan. Available at most dealerships in November, the Sonata N Line will be priced at $33,200.
"Consistent with our N Line Philosophy, the Sonata N Line will bring 290 horsepower and performance to the street," said Olabisi Boyle, vice president, Product Planning and Mobility Strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. "It is composed and responsive on the road and quick with its turbocharged 2.5L engine. On a twisty road, you can move through tight turns confidently and be thrilled with its capability."
Sonata N Line Powertrain Based on the 2020 Sonata's new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the N Line version adds a turbocharger, a different cylinder head, and unique internals. These changes put the horsepower at 290 at 5,800 rpm and the torque at 311 lb.-ft. at 1,650-4,000 rpm. These numbers are a significant increase over the standard Sonata's 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or its optional 180-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine.
Smartstream 2.5L Turbo GDI+MPI and N Wet DCT Technical Highlights
All-new design and engine structure
High tumble combustion system
High volumetric efficiency
Exhaust manifold integrated cylinder head
Piston cooling gallery
Split cooling and cross flow cooling system
Enhanced fuel efficiency
GDI and MPI dual injection system
Integrated thermal management system
Cooled exhaust gas recirculation
Dynamic response
eCVVT driven by DC motor
High-response variable induction system
N Eight-Speed Wet Dual-Clutch Transmission
Optimized eight-speed layout
Electric oil pump and accumulator
N Eight-Speed Wet Dual-Clutch Transmission Hyundai developed the new N DCT with manual or fully automatic modes and eight speeds for improved acceleration and efficiency. The N DCT is equipped with electronic actuators that operate the dual clutch, providing ride comfort, fuel efficiency, and driving fun. Unlike a dry dual-clutch transmission, the wet N DCT uses oil to significantly improve lubrication and cooling performance, as required of higher-torque applications. The wet-type dual-clutch transmission uses an electric oil pump for increased thermal endurance and reduced direct parasitic drag on the powertrain. The N DCT was fully developed in-house by N brand engineers, with a fun-to-drive tuning focus. This transmission is similar to the one found in the high-performance 2021 Veloster N.
N Power Shift N Power Shift (NPS) engages when the car accelerates with more than 90 percent throttle demand, mitigating torque reduction by using upshifts to deliver maximum power to the wheels through each gear change. This gives the driver a responsive feeling of dynamic acceleration when shifting.
Driving Experience Customization Along with other updated features, such as Rev Matching and Launch Control, Sonata N Line is optimized to automatically sense driving styles and road conditions to optimize shift points. For example, the car will hold lower gears longer during performance driving for better acceleration out of corners. Conversely, if the driver is aggressively pushing the car on a twisty road, the car will use the full range of available engine RPM to maximize performance. All of these features can be configured in Sonata N Line's improved infotainment system, using the latest operating system shown on a high-definition 10.25-inch display.
N DCT Engineering Sonata N Line's N DCT transmission employs two clutch assemblies, one for odd gears and one for even and reverse gears. The clutch actuator assembly utilizes a lightweight electric motor-driven system for greater efficiency, optimized shift response, and compact packaging. It also deploys an external damper for improved NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness). The N DCT uses an electromechanical gear actuator, yielding a lightweight design, higher fuel efficiency, and precise shifting control via the engine's electronic control unit. The N DCT gearing assembly uses hollow input shafts for an ultra-lightweight and extremely responsive shifting character.
Sonata N Line Design Elements The Sonata N Line has a unique body kit with a deeper front fascia and four exhaust outlets instead of the standard Sonata's two. Inside, shoppers will notice bolstered sport seats and N Brand red stitching throughout. The digital instrument display changes when switched through driving modes, which include Normal, Sport, Sport +, and custom. In addition to changing the cluster, toggling through them alters the steering weight and the speed and strategy of the transmission's shifts.
N Line Exterior Design Elements (Sonata N Line build upon the well-equipped Sonata SEL)
N sport front seats with Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica® suede inserts
Leather-wrapped N sport steering wheel
12.3-inch LCD cluster display
Wireless device charging
Hyundai Digital Key
Aluminum pedals
Second row air vent
Proximity key with push button start and hands-free trunk release
LED interior lighting including ambient lighting
Auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink
Sonata N Line Driving Dynamics Sonata N Line has the power, acceleration, and handling that will make drivers smile, just like other N Brand vehicles do. A quick-ratio rack-mounted motor-driven power steering system provides enhanced steering feel, and larger 13.6-inch front and 12.8-inch rear brakes bring Sonata N Line to a quick stop.
Sonata N Line Mechanical Improvements
Enhancement
Benefit
2.5T Smartstream GDI/MPI Engine
More power and torque
N 8-speed Wet DCT
Higher cooling capacity + efficiency
Chassis Bushing
Higher rigidity to cope with increased chassis stress from cornering
Rack-mounted MDPS
Quicker response with different gear ratio for a more sporting nature
Mono Tube Dampener
Specially tuned dampener for increased road- holding ability
Active Sound Design and Sport Exhaust note
Increased engine sound for driving enjoyment
Braking Upgrades (pad friction material, disc size and cooling)
Greater stopping power and higher heat capacity
Launch Control
Quicker off-the-line starts
Dedicated N Line Seats
Higher grip-side bolsters to hold you while cornering
2021 Sonata N Line
2021 Sonata
Engine mount stiffness
+22%
215.8 N/㎜
176.6 N/㎜
Trans mount stiffness
+30%
294.3 N/㎜
225.6 N/㎜
"Rollrod" mount stiffness
+44%
323.7 N/㎜
225.4 N/㎜
Spring stiffness (F/R)
same / +5%
2.6 / 4.2
2.6 / 4.0
Stability bar diameters (F/R)
+5% / +18%
Φ23.2 / Φ20
Φ22.2 / Φ17
Shocks
N Line tune
Base tune
Steering
64 mm/rev (rack mounted)
60 mm/rev (column mounted)
Tires
245/40R19 (all-season or summer based on region)
205/65R16,215/55R17, 235/45R18,245/40R19
Infotainment At the center of the dashboard, a large 10.25-inch HD screen enables occupants to interact easily with the audio-video and navigation (AVN) functions. This screen can also accommodate a split-screen function that allows audio and navigation to be displayed simultaneously. Sonata SEL, SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line models include three years of complimentary Blue Link services.
Hyundai SmartSense The following SmartSense safety features are standard on the Sonata N Line:
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian Detection
Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
High Beam Assist
Lane Keeping Assist
Lane Follow Assist
Driver Attention Warning
Rear Occupant Warning (ROA) door logic
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
Safety Exit Warning
Blue Link® The new Sonata N Line features Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, which uses embedded telematics to allow drivers to remote start their vehicle and control interior temperature using the MyHyundai smartphone app. The app also allows users to either remote lock or unlock their doors and to find their vehicle in a crowded parking lot with Car Finder and remote horn and lights.
Digital Key Continuing to promote the latest advances in technology, the all-new Sonata N Line has an optional smartphone-based Hyundai Digital Key. Digital Key uses a dedicated mobile app, Near Field Communication (NFC), and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to allow a Sonata to be unlocked, started, and driven without a physical key, via applicable Android smartphones. Sonata's Digital Key also allows secure sharing of virtual keys with family and friends.
*Freight charges for the 2021 Sonata N Line are $995 and are not included in the above chart.
Hyundai Motor America At Hyundai Motor America, we believe everyone deserves better. From the way we design and build our cars to the way we treat the people who drive them, making things better is at the heart of everything we do. Hyundai's technology-rich product lineup of cars, SUVs and alternative-powered electric and fuel cell vehicles is backed by Hyundai Assurance—our promise to create a better experience for customers. Hyundai vehicles are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide and nearly half of those sold in the U.S. are built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Hyundai Motor America is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea.
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