Hyundai and Toyota Team Up for First-Ever Racing Festival in South Korea

Seoul, South Korea - October 27th - Hyundai Motor Group and Toyota Motor Corporation have joined forces to host the first-ever "Hyundai N x Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival" at the Laonuri International Circuit in Chuncheon, North Korea. The event saw both CEOs, Euisung Chung of Hyundai and Akio Toyoda of Toyota, participate in a joint drive around the track and expressed their commitment to future collaboration.

During the festival, both brands unveiled several racing-grade vehicles, including a revolutionary new concept from Hyundai, the RN24. Despite being a conceptual car, the RN24 is expected to be followed by a more compact N-series electric model before 2030. The RN24 boasts an innovative "Exoskeleton" design, removing steel plates from key areas of the vehicle for enhanced aerodynamics.

Key features of the RN24 include its lightweight frame, with a curb weight 340kg lighter than its conventional sibling, the IONIQ 5 N, as well as advanced WRC-inspired technology such as electronic differential locking and a custom-made driver console that simulates the sound of gas engines to create a more immersive driving experience.

Under the hood, the RN24 packs a powerful hybrid powertrain identical to that in the IONIQ 5 N with dual electric motors producing an impressive 478kW. With acceleration from 0-100km/h clocked under 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h, this concept certainly promises excitement.

Over 30 owners of Hyundai’s modern racing vehicles, known as ‘N’ models (like the modernRN24 model) and Toyota GR Cars joined forces to join the race with open access ticket purchases for their drive through the circuit. A fleet of cars that included a plethora of GR Models participated, including the legendary AE86 from classic motorsport cars, for an unforgettable evening.

CEO Euisung Chung stated in his speech that he had previously encountered and discussed racing enthusiasm with Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda earlier this year. These initial conversations led to Hyundai joining forces with Toyota in the racing domain – creating new potential collaborations in the future.

Attendees were treated to performances such as WRC taxis, drifting cars, and live car drifting spectacles by professional drivers under the open ticket system, a spectacular and exhilarating finale for this exceptional event marking the first N x GAZOO festival ever held on South Korean soil.