Hyundai named Top Gear’s carmaker of the year; i20 N car of the year

Hyundai Motor Co. has been named the 2021 manufacturer of the year by BBC Top Gear, a prestigious British auto magazine, in recognition of the South Korean brand’s innovative lineup and eco-friendly technology.

Also, the Hyundai i20 N, one of the Korean top automaker’s hatchback rally vehicles, has been named the car of the year by Top Gear.

Last month, its i20 N triumphed at the Top Gear Speed Week test to claim the performance car of the year title from a group of 26 contenders.

“As a proud Nthusiast myself, it is most thrilling to see our all-new i20 N be selected as the Top Gear Speed Week champion among 26 fastest cars in the world, and ultimately establish a winning reputation as the car of the year,” said Till Wartenberg, head of Hyundai Motor’s N brand management motorsport division.

Hyundai Motor’s winning of Top Gear’s manufacturer of the year comes three years after it won the same title by the British auto magazine.

“The manufacturer of the year is a testament to the direction that Hyundai is committed to as we transform into a smart mobility solution provider,” said Thomas Schemera, Hyundai Motor’s global chief marketing officer.

Jack Rix, the editor of Top Gear, said: “This year, it’s the sheer breadth of talent in Hyundai’s lineup that swayed us: hot taches (i30 N, i20 N), hot crossovers (Kona N), hydrogen fuel cell cars (NEXO) and an EV that looks and goes better than anything out there (IONIQ 5).”

Write to Il-Gue Kim at Black0419@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.