Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As always, this is a weekly recap of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. This week: NEW NISSAN Z OMG, Hyundai makes a performance car out of the Elantra, Genesis shows off their first EV, there’s a new GT Heritage Edition, Ford made some new Mustang special editions very white, the Explorer is getting some new performance editions, and Ford Performance is working on an electric crate motor.

There’s a new Nissan Z!!!!!1!!

By far the biggest news of the week was the new Nissan Z. Years of leaks and speculation culminated in a new generation of the legendary Z sports car that, by and large, seems to be getting positive feedback. Jeff covered it in a good amount of detail earlier in the week, so I won’t need to talk about it here. Head on over to his piece for all of the info you need.

Hyundai Elantra N

The N-ing of Hyundai’s lineup continues with the 2022 Elantra N, a sporty and fun variant of a car that you’d otherwise never associate with the words sporty and fun. It takes the heart and soul of the groundbreaking Veloster N and stuffs it in a car that some buyers may find more convenient and practical. The Elantra N will join the Veloster N and Kona N when it goes on sale later this year. Not to be confused with the N Line stuff, which is a lighter performance upgrade and appearance package and is already available with the Elantra, this is the real deal.

The powertrain should be familiar by now. It’s the same 2.0-liter, turbocharged, direct-injected four cylinder engine as found in the Veloster N and Kona N. Some highlights include its 276 horsepower and 289 lb.-ft. of torque, its flat power curve ensuring that max power is available from 5,500 RPM to its roughly 6,700 RPM redline, and its standard six-speed manual gearbox with available eight-speed DCT.

Living up to its hot hatch roots, the N Corner Carving [electric] Differential, its fully upgraded N suspension, and large 14.2” front brake rotors with high-friction pads ensure it’ll be every bit as fun as the beloved Veloster N. The Elantra N does have a few things that are unique to it though, like the dual-compound insulator in the front suspension for reductions in NVH. It also has four-point strut rings and a rear stiffness bar to strengthen body rigidity (it’s visible from the trunk, too). The car also features an integrated drive axle, which uses WRC rally car tech to integrate the drive shaft, wheel hub, and bearing for a lighter and stronger driveline. The interior is of course fully kitted out with N stuff as well.

It’s a full on N car through and through. If it’s anything like the Veloster N which earned high praise from the auto media type people, it’ll be another grand slam for Hyundai. Though I will admit I’m not crazy about the black face paint it’s wearing. Pricing is not available yet.

[Source: Hyundai]

Genesis GV60

Now for something just a little different, Genesis has debuted their first EV – the GV60. I’m unsure why it’s not called the EV60 to differentiate it from all the other G or GV models they’ve done already. But since everything’s going electric at some point anyway, I suppose that doesn’t matter. In any event, the GV60 is a battery electric crossover built on the company’s dedicated E-GMP modular platform designed for EVs.

If that platform sounds familiar, it’s because Hyundai debuted their Ioniq 5 electric crossover on the same platform. This will be shared across all Hyundai brands with Genesis of course being the luxury version. It’s not yet known what sort of specs we can expect from the electric powertrain. It may be the same as what will be in the Ioniq 5, which has RWD and AWD versions making 225 horsepower/258 lb.-ft. or 230 horsepower/446 lb.-ft. They estimate driving range will be between 260 and 300 miles depending on the model. With it being this early in the race to transition to EVs, I fully expect that powertrain to carry over to the GV60.

But what definitely isn’t carrying over is, uh, everything else. The Ioniq 5 is a wild-looking, body, angular shape which looks more like a Lancia Delta revival than an electric crossover. This GV60 features many of the same sweeping, soft lines you’d find on any other Genesis. Its interior is also advanced, open, and elegant… like a Genesis. While it does feature digital side-view mirrors, it should be noted that the car we’re looking at is the Korean spec. The version we get in America will probably not have that, because rules.

The gorgeous Genesis design language can only go so far. I’m not personally a fan. At all. But I dislike most compact crossovers as it stands, so the general public may think differently. No launch timeframe or pricing has been revealed yet.

[Source: Genesis]

Everything Ford showed off this week

Leading up to the Woodward Dream Cruise and with the SEMA show coming soon-ish, Ford has had a busy week showing off new products – mostly special editions and some performance parts and accessories. Here’s a quick rundown:

2022 Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition

The 6th Heritage Edition Ford GT (of this generation) was unveiled and it’s the first one to celebrate something besides a race win. This GT is inspired by the 1964 Ford GT40 prototype which debuted at the New York international Auto Show that year. It was the public’s first glimpse into the program that would eventually become legend.

To mimic the look of the prototype, this GT wears Wimbledon White paint with Antimatter Blue graphics. There’s plenty of exposed carbon fiber too which also has an Antimatter Blue tint to it, like the wheels, front splitter, side sills, mirror stalks, engine louvers, and rear diffuser. The Antimatter Blue color scheme continues inside with black and blue upholstery all throughout. This tribute is available in very limited quantities and enters production next year.

[Source: Ford]

Ice White Edition Mustang and Mustang Mach-E

For the first time, a special edition package is shared between a Mustang and a not-Mustang. The 2022 Mach-E, Mustang EcoBoost Premium, and Mustang GT Premium can be ordered as an Ice White Edition.

The appearance package is sort of a throwback to the ‘93 Triple White Mustang. Star White Metallic Tri-Coat paint offers a bright exterior with Oxford White-painted badges and wheels topping off the look. Meanwhile the interior carries the theme with white upholstery and dashboard inserts. There’s not much else to say about these – they’re just white. No word on pricing for the packages or if they’re limited in numbers, but they’re available to order soon and will arrive in dealers early 2022.

[Source: Ford]

Explorer ST RWD and ST-Line

Ford believes there’s a market for RWD performance SUVs. The Explorer ST has only been available with AWD as is typical for go-fast SUVs. But beginning with the 2022 model year, you can opt for a RWD model because drift Explorer. Or because Ford realizes that not everyone needs AWD, so the ultimate goal is to offer savings to those who only want or need two wheels spinning. Ford won’t hold back in the power department though. The RWD ST has the same 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with the same 400 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. and a 10-speed automatic. You’ll know when it’s available as soon as you see a sideways Explorer in a YouTube thumbnail.

For those who want a sporty edge to their Explorer without springing for the full ST model, you can also equip your Explorer as an ST-Line variant (pictured). It’s basically an appearance package. ST-inspired features like a blacked out grille, dual exhaust tips, blackout treatment for headlamps and taillamps, and 20” wheels can give you the feeling of driving a real Explorer ST but with 100 less horsepower.

2022 Explorers are due in showrooms later this year.

[Source: Ford]

Ford Performance electric crate motor coming soon

Ford Performance couldn’t let GM be the only one selling an electric crate motor. Details will be limited until its full debut at the SEMA show, but Ford Performance teased it on Twitter this week and promised a fall launch date. It will fill the same role as any other crate motor would, but target those who are doing EV or hybrid conversions or an entirely new build. While we don’t know much power it can produce, we do know from the engineering renderings they released that it’ll be a small unit at just 22.4 inches long. Of course, the batteries are the bigger component, but this seems like a size that will make it an easy fit for most projects. We’ll stay on this one for further updates.

[Source: @FordPerformance]

What’s your automotive news?

That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.

Have a good weekend.