Hyundai RM20e is an 596kW electric monster (w/video)

Hyundai RM20e

The Hyundai RM20e is a 596kW/960Nm electric monster that Hyundai reckons signals the direction for the N brand.

Meet the N prototype Hyundai RM20e. RM stands for Racing Midship. Hyundai is calling its mid-engined, rear-drive prototype a “rolling lab” for testing high performance technologies with the brand saying the layout is vital to getting the thing’s 596kW and 960Nm of torque to the ground. It’ll hit 200km/h in 9.6 seconds.

The RM20e is the latest in a line of RM development vehicles that began back in 2012 and saw the release of the RM14, RM15, RM16 and RM19…this became the Veloster N eTCR to compete in the eTCR electric touring car series.

“Our new electrified RM20e pushes the proven RM platform forcefully into a new, environmentally-focused decade of the 21st century, stretching the performance envelope of electrification on normal road environments,” said Albert Biermann, President and Head of Research and Development Division at Hyundai Motor Group. “RM20e represents a revolutionary new chapter of electrified performance for the Racing Midship series, and our N engineers continue to garner valuable insights in the arena of zero-emission performance dynamics.”

Hyundai RM20e

Hyundai has already said it wants to have around 44 eco-friendly models on the road by 2025 and it has a raft of power trains to draw from, including hydrogen fuel cell, battery electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid electric. And Hyundai said the RM20e signals the brand’s intent to produce performance electric vehicles.

“The RM20e sports car prototype clearly signals future electrified brand aspirations for Hyundai’s performance N brand, moving N into the prestigious genre of supercar-level performance,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Head of Product Division at Hyundai Motor Group.

“Moving forward, Hyundai N not only increases drivers’ heartbeats per minute via powerful internal combustion engines, but also through the instantaneous torque and environmental sustainability of reliable electrified powertrains. RM20e proves that N driving excitement will not be compromised, even in electrified model variants.”

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Isaac Bober has been writing about cars and 4x4s for more than 20 years, has worked on some of the country's biggest motoring magazines (remember what they were?), and launched Practical Motoring. Now he's back, back again... to share dad jokes and much more.