Hyundai's announcement during the recent Gran Turismo World Series 2025 World Final in Fukuoka, Japan, that the Elantra N TCR will be added to Gran Turismo 7 as part of a January update for the racing sim, marks a decade of collaboration between the Korean manufacturer and Polyphony Digital, the creators of what is unarguably the most popular sim racing series on consoles.
The collaboration was first unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show with the introduction of the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo, a hydrogen-powered concept car that was significant not only as a digital racer but also as a launch platform for Hyundai’s N performance division, as well as offering a glimpse into how fuel cell technology could be applied to motorsports.
The N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo featured a four-motor electric system powered by hydrogen fuel cells, producing a combined output of approximately 650kW. Weighing just 971kg, the car was designed to demonstrate high power-to-weight efficiency in the virtual environment of Gran Turismo Sport and later Gran Turismo 7.
As the collaboration evolved, Hyundai transitioned into showcasing its advancements in electrification through the Ioniq 5 N that made its digital debut in January 2025 and was the first high-performance electric vehicle from the N brand to be featured in the simulation.
While the recent history of the brand in the series is defined by the N division, Hyundai’s presence in the franchise extends back to older titles. The Hyundai Tiburon and the Accent WRC rally car in earlier games such as Gran Turismo 4, while other historical entries included a one-make cup version of the Hyundai Click, which appeared in international versions of Gran Turismo 6.
The TCR version of the Elantra N (known as the i30 Sedan N in Australia - we don't get it here...) is a touring car built to the TCR (literally 'Touring Car Racing) specifications that were introduced in 2014 for front-wheel drive 4 and 5 door cars with turbocharged petrol or diesel engines of up to 2.0-litres and a maximum output of 260kW and 420Nm.
Between 2021 and 2025, the Elantra N TCR secured five consecutive class wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race. It also earned three straight titles in the FIA TCR World Tour Drivers’ Championship from 2022 to 2024 and two consecutive TCR Australia Driver’s Championships in 2023 and 2024.
Beyond the new vehicle, the January 2026 update of Gran Turismo will also provide additional content centred on the Hyundai brand to celebrate the anniversary. Players will have access to a special Hyundai N-themed menu at the GT Café and an expanded Hyundai Museum section within the game’s Brand Central.
