Celebrating a decade of
performance and beyond
at the N Archive
6 minute read
For ten exciting, high-performance-fueled years, Hyundai N has proven itself repeatedly on international racetracks, winning the hearts and minds of drivers and motorsport fans worldwide. Whether climbing a hill at a rugged rally or on stage as an artistic concept car, N consistently delivers a powerful mix of action, aesthetics, and innovation. Luckily, there is a place where visitors can explore all of N's aspects — past, present, and future: the N Archive.
Fascination starts with the letter 'N'
The N Archive is not your typical archive. Instead of merely housing documents, photos, and the occasional racing artifact, the N Archive is a vast, 1,320-square meter facility that can accommodate up to 100 vehicles. As a place to both celebrate N's achievements and bring fans together, the N Archive is a vibrant museum of living history, uniting the past, present, and future. It all began in 2023, and after three years of intense planning, the N Archive celebrated its grand opening on September 19, 2025. And what an opening it was! In just two days, all admission tickets for two months sold out.
History-making from the start
Hyundai N made its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. The name ‘N’ comes from the initials of Hyundai Motor's Namyang R&D Center in Korea and Germany's Nürburgring circuit, often called the ‘Green Hell’ due to its tough driving conditions. The logo draws inspiration from the chicane, the signature S-shaped curve that reflects the brand's spirit on both the road and the racetrack.
While Hyundai N officially debuted in 2015, its origins date back to 2012, when a small research team of engineers and developers at the Namyang R&D Center got together. United in their passion for cars and driving, the team set out to bring to life the kind of high-performance machine they had always envisioned.
Hyundai N entered the racing scene in 2014 and quickly gained recognition. However, it wasn't always smooth sailing — in 2014, Thierry Neuville of the Hyundai World Rally Team experienced a serious crash during practice, rolling his car over seven times down a vineyard hill. Luckily, he was okay, and through exceptional teamwork, the crew rebuilt the vehicle overnight, allowing him to get back into the rally and ultimately win. For the team, it was not just a victory but a testament to their spirit and determination to overcome challenges and never give up.
Tracks, trophies & titles
Once Hyundai N's wheels touched the racetrack, there was no stopping it. The list of awards and podium finishes—from its racing debut in 2014 to its capture of the Manufacturers' Championship title in 2019—firmly cemented Hyundai N's reputation as an automotive force of nature to be respected and revered.
However, the Hyundai N team was never ready to rest on past victories and soon set its sights on one of the most challenging and demanding endurance races: the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Held on the Nürburgring circuit, the race challenges drivers to compete for 24 continuous hours on a 25-kilometer course with 300 meters of elevation change and an impressive 170 corners to master.
The Nürburgring 24 Hours pushes both machines and drivers to their limits, with nearly 40 percent of participants forced to retire before they finish. Hyundai N, however, completed the race in its debut year and has since achieved ten consecutive starts and finishes—along with five successive TCR class victories. The historic race cars that made their mark at the Nürburgring can now be seen at the N Archive.
Hyundai N continues to push its performance to the limit on the world's most prestigious racetracks, drawing an ever-growing crowd of N fans and racing enthusiasts. The 2024 Hyundai N Festival–Korea's largest one-make racing event–brought even more drivers together than before, and the number of participants and spectators can only grow.
Rolling labs and exciting lineups
Another fascinating aspect of the N Archive is its display of Rolling Lab test cars. These unique and 'one-of-a-kind' vehicles were developed to expand the expertise gained through motorsport. Their goal is to facilitate research, development, and verification of high-performance technologies under actual driving conditions. The distinctive vehicles are now showcased at the N Archive, alongside the entire N lineup. Examples include the Rolling Lab RM14, RM15, RM20e, an electrified high- performance Rolling Lab based on the Veloster N ETCR, and the N Vision 74, a hydrogen-electric hybrid designed to bring driving excitement into the future of electrification.
History on wheels
As an epicenter of the N world, the N Archive stands as a testament to all the challenges, innovations, and triumphs that have defined the brand. Located in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, the 1,320-square meter facility can accommodate up to 100 vehicles. Accented with Hyundai N's signature Performance Blue, the archive is divided into four zones dedicated to vehicle storage, maintenance, and parts preservation.
The N Archive brings together every vehicle Hyundai N has created and developed—from motorsport race cars that have competed in global series such as WRC and TCR to Rolling Lab models, custom cars, and production N vehicles. Its mission is to preserve Hyundai N's heritage and strengthen its identity as a high-performance brand for generations to come.
As a 'living exhibition', the N Archive documents not only what has made N vehicles so special but also where the journey is headed. Visitors can look forward not only to race cars that have competed on real circuits but also to unique Rolling Lab models found nowhere else. Production N models are also on display and ready to be discovered, like IONIQ 5 N, which was named Car of the Year at the 2023 TopGear.com Awards and World Performance Car at the 2024 World Car Awards, and the high performance EV IONIQ 6 N, which made its impressive hill-climbing debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK.
Ready for the next generation
What makes the N Archive stand out from other exhibitions is that each car is carefully maintained to remain drivable for years to come, with service performed in the facility's dedicated service area. Currently, about 50 vehicles are stored in the N Archive. The collection will continue to grow to evolve as a symbol of the N brand and all that it aspires to.
Open for amazing encounters
On September 19, 2025, the N Archive officially opened its doors with a special event celebrating the 10th anniversary of Hyundai N. The special event brought together media representatives, influencers, customers, and Hyundai employees from various divisions who have supported N's journey over the years.
At the entrance of the N Archive stood three symbolic models: the soon-to-be-released IONIQ 6 N; the IONIQ 6 N Drift Spec, which made a spectacular debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed; and the RN22e Rolling Lab, which served as the foundation for both.
Inside, guests enjoyed an exciting array of exhibitions, displays, and interactive presentations. A crowd-drawing highlight included a specially prepared IONIQ 6 N equipped with N performance parts. The vehicle was set to exhibition mode, allowing guests to experience key features such as Launch Control, N e-Shift, and N Active Sound+ from the driver's seat.
A number of Hyundai N owners and club members attended the event, sharing lively and diverse feedback that reflected their genuine passion for the brand.
It was a meaningful experience to see the ten-year history of Hyundai N showcased in one place. I felt as if I were walking through a living museum. - N Archive visitor
After the presentations concluded, visitors participated in an in-depth guided tour that provided behind-the-scenes stories and detailed insights into Hyundai N's history and vehicles. These tours, along with monthly rotating N-themed exhibitions, are sure to offer something for all passionate N fans.
I enjoyed the video and presentation that summarized Hyundai N's journey into a compelling story. Instead of just reflecting on the past, they presented a vision for the era of electrification. - N Archive visitor
Just like the vehicles that share its name, the Hyundai N Archive will continue to evolve to offer the best in automotive performance and innovation. So, whether it's on the track or in the archive, with Hyundai N, there is always something new and exciting to discover.
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