Hyundai launches N sub-brand to take on BMW M

[bluekn8286]

If they can make solid cars and stay true to their mantra of keeping the price low, I am on board. I am an equal opportunity car lover!

[Alumac]

Competition makes everyone better.

Don't know why people fear the rise of the N.

[s1k0ne]

think this move will wake up BMW. Korean cars has been on top of their tech and all they have to do is beef up their cars. Genesis R was a good example of their performance and now with the head of the M division moving to Hyundai, it's a great start.

Genesis R : 429hp, 376tq
+ head of M division experience
+ pricing starting at 48K
+ Rear view camera STANDARD with a whole bunch of tech more advanced than BMW

... I'd cross shop. Those specs are from 2012 also. imagine what they can bring in +2016

Hyundai also manufactures all their parts in house starting from the steel itself so R&D for better parts isn't the problem. Bringing in the head of M division was a great move IMO

Competition = win for consumers. maybe BMW will start listening to their buyers and put some ridiculous options as standard

[jbeene]

Having driven both H cars and BMW's (including owning several M cars) I can say that H Brand will sell them and that they aren't aiming to take market share from M. They have a long way to go to get the solidity and refinement of any BMW much less an M car.

I think they are aiming for an unanswered market niche. Enthusiast cars for people who don't want a previously enjoyed M (i.e. Worn out) or don't have $85K (starting) for an M car but still want more performance and feel than a standard H car.

I'm sure they will be decent cars an open a few eyes. But I don't see any true BMW enthusiast going down the street to get one.

Most anyone whose had an M car and has left the brand for a lesser brand probably wants to be back in an M car. Heck I drive a regular BMW and pine for my E90 M3 every day.

[Bluex]

Not really competition for the M, those crowds won't cross shop.

However, GREAT competition for VW and the new R400. That's where this new concept really belongs, not as competing with the M.

[DJKapeesh]

Originally Posted by Delta0311

As long as the price tag is not any where near the M range then the cars will sell.

FRS & BRZ sell pretty well even for a car with little to no engine in a rear wheel drive platform.

If Hyundai can follow the winning formula of
(Manual + RWD + Lower price than competitors) They will have a market

Not to mention sprinkle more power than the FRS w/ their awesome warranties and rebates and they may even convert some people.

*Not to mention the way BMW M cars are depreciating in Value for your money and now are not the leading performance brand like last generations e92. If things continue this way the market will by wide open...

[VCP]

Meanwhile, M division sets its sights on the 911 GT3

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by c63er

As many others have said. This is actually a good thing for the autonotive industry

Competition is a double edged sword. Sometimes it results in a much better product. Sometimes it forces a race to the bottom. Only time will tell. But why not roll the dice and see.

After all, imagine if the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord never existed. Can you imagine what kind of horrible noisy shit boxes we'd be driving. German cars if the 80s were cool back then,but aside from the high end, quality was bad. We won't even talk about American cars.

What I do find very disturbing is the name of the division and overall colors and theme they are promoting which is obviously an m rip off. You have to wonder if the hiring of Bierman is also a ploy to just give the brand credibility as he is mr bmw m. I'm also going to sound like a xenophobic nut a little bit (in the farthest thing from that) but it's also disturbing if this is accepted by any of us. One of the great features of the automotive performance culture we have is that everyone is trying to beat each other in their own way. This whole blatant rip off thing hasn't been a prevalent feature of our culture so far. If this changes its bad times ahead in afraid

If Hyundai could do like Lexus and stake out their own path (like F division) and they can do it better then bmw/Lexus/amg then I'm all for it. But by copying the logo/branding/colors then this should be completly rejected for what it is.

Yeah, really have to agree with you there. As excited as I'd be to have a mid-engine hatch on sale in the US market, it is really disappointing that they haven't gone their own direction from a branding and design standpoint. Look at the image presented by brands like Honda's R and Nissan's Nismo. Both companies built their strong heritage over time. In the US domestic market, Cadillac has done a hell of a job branding their V line-up.

Then Hyundai comes along with Bierman at the helm, "N" as their name, and colors that are dubiously close to BMW M GmbH branding. It's a real head-scratcher, but not entirely unexpected. Both Hyundai and Kia have made a big business of ripping off other brands' designs.

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by Bluex

Not really competition for the M, those crowds won't cross shop.

However, GREAT competition for VW and the new R400. That's where this new concept really belongs, not as competing with the M.

Hopefully VW actually produces the R400 (apparently it has been confirmed) and Hyundai feels like they need to respond.

[Kommodore]

So many morons in this thread. You all have no idea who that engineer is, do you. Like, not just that he came from the M Division, but who he actually is and what he has accomplished. BMW has lost their way, and I hope Hyundai puts the hurt on them big time to make them wake the fuck up.

[MDIVISION]

HAAAHAAAAA

[SunnyD]

N will always come after M.

[phoenixbmwlife]

Aww shucks...That's so cute!

[YungDro]

thread closed....

[C5driver]

I'm actually excited at seeing what Hyundai comes out with. Competition is always good for the enthusiast market, since brand loyalty is so overrated

[phoenixbmwlife]

Originally Posted by Jmpascual

What does the N stand for? Hyundai Notorsport?

Yes the N stands for No To Sport lol

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by Killramos

Cause people who are looking at new M cars are going to cross shop Hyundai

The way this economy is going, I would. LoL.

[BEMR]

The Power of (N)OT

[phoenixbmwlife]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I don't get the hate. The more performance cars on the road the better!

Look at the Fiesta ST, brilliant car!

Hate? Since when having fun is hate? More competition is a great thing as it will push BMW M to newer heights. But that doesn't mean we cant have a little fun.

[HXS]

"N" as in Not Nearly.

[jwong77]

Originally Posted by ckfraser

N? Such a blatant ripoff. Is Kia going to come out with ANG next?

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by Kommodore

So many morons in this thread. You all have no idea who that engineer is, do you. Like, not just that he came from the M Division, but who he actually is and what he has accomplished. BMW has lost their way, and I hope Hyundai puts the hurt on them big time to make them wake the fuck up.

Albert Biermann is BMW M. BMW should have never let him go. If there was one person at BMW that had M DNA in them, it was Albert Biermann. He's been there since the E30 M3. Did anyone actually think he was going to go to Hyundai and not replicate his success at BMW M? I am only surprised he was able to move this quickly. Looks like they gave him full control over everything.