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Hyundai Canada rolls out Elantra N TCR Edition

2025-07-30T21:56:04+00:00

Manufacturers go racing to test and refine their technology, and apply what they learn at the track to improve their road cars. That’s the rationale you’ve probably heard, anyway. Millions spent on racing so, you, the customer, have a better, perhaps even sportier, car for the everyday.

But race-bred enhancements usually aren’t visible to the untrained eye. Buyers in showrooms aren’t likely to appreciate improved chassis stiffness, refined suspension geometry, or quicker ratio steering when they’re out kicking tires. Unless the car is festooned with a big spoiler and fancy wheels and badging – lots of badging – a car’s connection to racing often goes unnoticed.

This isn’t the case with the 2026 Hyundai Elantra N TCR Edition, a car that has so many extras that “from racing” wouldn't look out of place if it was stenciled on its windshield. Subtle, these add-ons are not.

Now, before going any further, there is one big caveat. The Elantra N TCR Edition, for now, is only being offered in Canada. At time of writing, there’s no word if Hyundai will make it available to U.S. buyers. Stay tuned, America.

Secondly, if you’re wondering what TCR stands for, it means Touring Car Racing. There are racing series all over the world with TCR classes. Unlike other forms of racing, such as Formula 1 and IndyCar, TCR allows only production-based entries, and they must have four or five doors (hatchbacks) with turbo engines that are 1.75 to 2-liters in displacement.

Here in North America, there’s a TCR class in the Michelin Pilot Challenge series, which is sanctioned by IMSA and competes at nine tracks in the U.S. and one in Canada. Hyundai has a four-car lineup in the TCR class in the Michelin series where it deploys a racing version of the Elantra N TCR.

Inspired by its championship-winning race car – Hyundai won the 2023 Michelin series drivers' and manufacturers' titles – the Korean automaker is building a street-legal version, the Elantra N TCR Edition, which is loaded with performance extras.

It comes with:

Carbon Swan Neck Spoiler
19-inch N TCR Forged Wheels
TCR Edition Trunk Emblem
N Performance Alcantara Steering Wheel with 12 o’clock marker
Performance Blue Seat Belts (front seats)
N Performance Metal Door Scuff
N Performance Mats
N Performance Brake System (four-piston monoblock front calipers with two-piece rotors)
Alcantara Interior Package (lever parking brake, gear knob, and console armrest)
TCR Edition Logo Door Spot Lamp

As for performance, the TCR Edition offers no power gains over the regular Elantra N. It shares the same 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine which produces 276 horsepower and 289 pounds-feet of torque. DCT models can produce 286 horsepower with N Grin Shift, an overboost mode, engaged. Available transmissions include a standard six-speed manual, or extra cost eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. TCR models also come with a host of N / custom modes like the regular Elantra N.

The 2026 Elantra N TCR Edition is offered in four exterior colors: Abyss Black, Atlas White, Cyber Grey, and Performance Blue. Pricing is set at $47,599 CAD for the six-speed, and $49,199 CAD for the DCT. Hyundai Canada expects the cars to begin arriving at dealers between the end of 2025 and early 2026.

Given how similar the U.S. and Canadian auto markets are it wouldn’t be too difficult for the TCR Edition to be imported to the U.S. once it's available in Canada. If there’s any news on that front, we’ll be sure to let you know.

Photos courtesy of Hyundai Canada

Chopping Block: Acura TLX

2025-07-24T20:37:15+00:00

These days it can seem like a new passenger car is being discontinued every other week, and while that isn’t literally true, the market for cars continues to shrink and therefore the culling continues.

We’ve covered several of the departing (and departed) at ��ɬ over the past few months, with the BMW Z4, Lexus RC, and Toyota Supra among the nameplates that will be leaving us in the coming months. Others, like the Lexus LC, and Subaru BRZ-Toyota 86 twins face an uncertain future at best. It won’t surprise us if they also meet their demise in the not-too-distant future.

But today, as the title suggests, it’s not a coupe that’s getting chopped, but another sedan. After two generations, and a lineage that stretches back to 1996, Acura will end production of the TLX mid-size sedan on July 31.

Acura issued a statement which included the following:

“Acura will conclude production of the TLX performance sedan this month to better align with the evolving needs of our customers and the changing landscape of the automotive industry."

"The TLX and its predecessor, the TL, served an important role for Acura brand for much of the past 30 years – with nearly 1.2 million units sold. However, since the initial success of the model, sales have been in a gradual, but steady decline as consumers increasingly turn to crossover utility vehicles.”

Once a strong seller in Acura’s lineup, the TLX has sold just 3,634 units in the U.S. through Q2 (June 30), which represents a 12.6 percent decline over the same period last year (4,211 sold).

TLX sales are a barometer of the decline of passenger cars sales generally in the U.S. When the TLX debuted a decade ago as the result of merging the old TL and TSX sedans into a single nameplate, its sales numbers were respectable. In its first year on sale in 2015, TLX sales peaked at 47,080.

Since then, its sales have steadily declined especially since 2021 which coincided with the debut of the current second gen model. By 2022, U.S. sales shrunk to 11,508, and by last year just 7,478 were sold. Even for a premium brand, those figures aren’t sustainable.

With the TLX gone, Acura will have just one non-SUV in its lineup, the compact Integra. Its sales aren’t exactly scorching either, but they’re almost three times better (13,638) than the TLX through June 30. Other Japanese luxury brands aren’t selling many cars these days either, with Infiniti killing off the Q50 sedan last year, and the Q60 coupe in 2022. It now sells SUVs only. Lexus still sells three sedans (ES, IS and LS), plus two coupes (LC and RC), but the RC is done after this year, and the IS and LC could be axed after 2026.

So, it’s not looking great for premium market coupes and sedans. Even the Germans have pared back their offerings as new models are rolled out. The new Audi A5 is strictly a sedan with no coupe or convertible models, and Mercedes-Benz has consolidated its coupes into the CLE. Sure, SL and GT models are still around, but they both retail for more than $100,000.

Could the TLX come back as an EV in a few years? So far, Acura is mum on that possibility, but it could happen. But it probably won't be a passenger car. We say that because the RSX, which was a compact sports coupe in the early 2000s, is coming back as an EV SUV in 2026.

Bottom line, the outlook for passenger cars, whether they’re sedans, coupes or convertibles, is grim. Surely, some will survive. The Honda Accord, sister car to the TLX, continues to perform well. It clocked in at 67,965 units sold through Q2. Still, that’s a decline of 14.7 percent over last year, so its days will probably become numbered too, eventually.

A generation ago, this writer briefly worked in an Acura dealership as a new car salesperson. I wasn’t particularly good at selling cars, but I was there long enough to sell a few, including the second gen mid-size TL sedan (pictured below). The TL was one of five cars in the Acura lineup at the time. Others included the EL compact sedan, CL coupe, RL full-size sedan, and the then all-new RSX sports coupe.

The only SUV in the lineup at that time was the MDX. The exact opposite of where things stand two decades later. The TL’s U.S. sales during my brief auto sales career in 2002 were 60,764.

A long time ago, indeed.

Photos courtesy of Acura

Acura reveals updated 2026 Integra

2025-07-22T21:57:52+00:00

For manufacturers, summer is usually “new car season”, a time of year when automakers roll out their lineup for the upcoming model year. These cars tend to dribble out slowly, one at a time, and today it’s Acura’s turn with the reveal of the updated 2026 Integra.

Given that the current fifth gen Integra just went on sale for the 2023 model year, we weren’t expecting many changes for 2026, but the updates Acura is throwing at the car are significant.

The big tech update is a larger 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, which replaces the outgoing 7-inch unit, and is standard on all models. The new screen has a faster processor for improved performance, according to Acura. Also standard across the range is wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a wireless phone charger.

Other cabin updates include a new dashboard trim pattern and extended ambient lighting for the A-Spec grade. A-Spec trims with Orchid interiors also receive blue microsuede inserts, while black interiors get yellow stitching on the seats, steering wheel, shift boot and door panels.

Exterior changes include new 18-inch black wheels for the A-Spec trim, and a new aero body kit which includes gloss black side spoilers on each corner of the front fascia, along with a side sill garnish.

Acura is also expanding the Integra’s color palette with three new exterior finishes: Solar Silver Metallic, Urban Gray Metallic, and Double Apex Blue Pearl. The latter is also available on the pure electric ZDX Type S SUV.

Another new wrinkle for ’26 is a color-matched grille, which is standard for Integras finished in Performance Red Pearl (not available in Canada), or Double Blue Apex Pearl. All other colors come with a standard gloss-black grille, which is available as an option for Performance Red Pearl and Double Apex Blue Pearl. Color-matched grilles are also optional for Urban Gray Pearl, and Platinum White Pearl.

Mechanically, the 2026 Integra carries forward with a standard 1.5-liter DOHC VTEC turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 192 pounds-feet of torque (320 hp / 310 lb-ft. on Type S). The turbo four is paired with either a standard CVT or 6-speed manual (optional on A-Spec, standard on Type S) that drive the front wheels.

Acura has not revealed pricing for the 2026 Integra, but we expect it to be announced soon as the car is slated to begin arriving at U.S. dealers next month. Canadian units are expected to land in October.

For reference, the 2025 Integra starts at $33,000 in the U.S., and $39,875 in Canada.

Photos courtesy of Acura

Lexus LFA successor on the way?

2025-07-16T20:23:39+00:00

The glorious Lexus LFA supercar, which had only 500 units built and went out of production in 2012, may have a successor at long last.

We say “may” because Toyota has not issued confirmation on the subject.

However, a heavily camouflaged Toyota sports car prototype has been seen testing in Europe over the past year. At Nürburgring Nordschleife, to be precise. This, according to a report from Car and Driver, suggests the development mule could become an LFA successor if it’s greenlit for production.

The back story here is this test vehicle – there are two according to Car and Driver – is alleged to be the production version of a GR GT3 race car concept Toyota revealed at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon. According to the magazine, Toyota’s in-house motorsports arm, Gazoo Racing, is leading development. The production car, should it come to pass, could be badged as a Lexus, perhaps as LFR, the story notes.

Spy photos taken at the Nürburgring – sorry, we don’t have the rights to publish those shots here but we've included some GT3 concept and first-gen LFA pics – suggest Toyota was testing different fixed rear wing setups.

Car and Driver speculates the car has a hybrid V8 engine but, again, Toyota isn’t commenting. The spy photographer claimed the test mules in Germany had yellow stickers on them, which denotes electrification, and they also said the car started off silently before an engine fired up after a short distance. Sounds like a hybrid powertrain to us.

Spy photos also show an interior that has carbon fiber trim in the door panels and dash cowl, although it’s hard to see much under a pile of testing equipment. An automatic transmission gear selector is visible on the center console, if you look closely, however.

Close-up shots of the body work reveal some interesting air flow and cooling management bits, including a hood air extractor, and air intakes in the rear quarter panels. Large openings in the front fenders appear to be vents for brake cooling. Apart from that, there’s not much else that can be gleaned in terms of design. Then again, that’s why these cars wear so much camouflage in the first place.

One other note worth mentioning comes from a TRD (Toyota Racing Development) executive Car and Driver interviewed, and it concerns racing. TRD, for those unaware, is Toyota’s U.S.-based tuning and high-performance division.

That executive, David Wilson, president of TRD, suggests Toyota wants a new car for racing in the global GT3 class, a division where many Toyota / Lexus rivals compete. Wilson said, the current Lexus race car, the RC F GT3, which competes in IMSA and is based on the RC road car, wasn’t developed from the ground up to compete in racing.

Without confirming the LFR, he said it’s vital for any road car that also competes in racing, such as GT3, to be designed and engineered for that purpose from the beginning. Not as an add-on after the production car is already on sale.

So read into that what you will. We’ll also note that the current gen RC coupe is scheduled to go out of production at the end of the 2025 model year. Could a hypothetical LFR replace the RC, and the LC, which could be nearing the end of its run, too? More info on the latter can be found here.

We could know what Toyota's plans are, and soon. The Japan Mobility Show, the odd-year motor show that matters most to Japanese OEMs is scheduled for late October. We won’t be surprised if Toyota has news to share then.

Photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp. and Lexus North America

Hyundai unveils 641-horsepower 2026 IONIQ 6 N

2025-07-15T20:01:29+00:00

While some manufacturers are still figuring out how to build performance EVs, Hyundai continues to blast forward with its second electric hot rod with its recent reveal of the 2026 IONIQ 6 N.

Like the IONIQ 5 N hatchback, the IONIQ 6 N sedan is a high-performance, track-ready beast. It's powered by an 84-kWh battery and front (223 hp) and rear (378 hp) electric motors that produce a combined 601 horsepower. A boost mode increases peak output to 641 horsepower. Maximum torque is rated at 568 pounds-feet.

So, it’s fast, right? It sure is.

With N Launch Control, the IONIQ 6 N has a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 3.2 seconds, and its top speed is rated at 257 km/h (160 mph).

IONIQ 6 N embodies Hyundai’s N philosophy, which has three pillars: Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability, and Everyday Sportscar. Basically, it means the car is built for track days but is also comfortable and refined for regular everyday driving.

Apart from its powertrain, a key element of the IONIQ 6 N is its suspension tuning, which features redesigned geometry for better handling and grip. The suspension is designed for both track thrashing and comfort needed for daily driving. The car has a lowered center of gravity for better high-speed stability and improved cornering grip but is also suited for driving on public roads.

The IONIQ 6 N also benefits from stroke sensing electronically controlled suspension dampers, which adjust damping force for various driving conditions from road to track.

Like IONIQ 5 N, IONIQ 6 N benefits from Hyundai’s motorsports programs, which the company calls its “rolling lab” initiatives. Among these are the N Battery which has been re-engineered for better temperature management, and adapts to different tracking scenarios, including drag, sprint, or endurance racing.

The car’s battery conditioning functions have been integrated for higher and longer-lasting performance. Thermal management has also been improved, and battery coolant heater capacity is increased to reduce conditioning time.

IONIQ 6 N’s design has also been influenced by racing. Aerodynamic elements such as the swan neck rear wing and widened fenders improve downforce and reduce drag while also providing stability during high-speed cornering.

As is the case with other N cars, IONIQ 6 N comes with a load of standard performance features, all beginning with the letter N. We mentioned N Battery, and N Launch Control, but here are a few others.

N Grin Boost – maximum acceleration for 10 seconds; maximum power increase and max motor responsiveness for overtaking

N Drift Optimizer – individual level control for customizable drift settings; Initiation (RTO), Angle (ESC), and Wheel Spin (TCS)

N Torque Distribution – fully variable front and rear torque distribution with 11 adjustable levels

N e-Shift – virtual gear shifting

N Ambient Shift Light – cabin light that provides cues for precise shift points

A few notes before wrapping up. The IONIQ 6 N rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero 5 summer tires that were designed specifically for the car.

Hyundai’s official statement didn’t mention interior features, or projected driving range, but did provide a list of exterior colors. They are Performance Blue Pearl (new), Abyss Black Pearl, Serenity White Pearl, Nocturne Gray Metallic, Nocturne Gray Matte, and Gravity Gold Matte. Availability could vary by market, but most should be available in North America.

The 2026 IONIQ 6 N goes on sale in its Korean home market in September, by year’s end in Europe, and early next year in North America. Hyundai says the car will launch with a range of N performance parts. The company says, “these components let customers further personalize their vehicle and experience track-inspired performance on the street or circuit.”

More information, including pricing, will be released closer to launch.

Photos courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

Honda to make new replacement parts for first-gen NSX

2025-07-09T19:40:13+00:00

One of the key concerns when buying an older car or choosing whether to keep your classic machine is the availability of replacement parts to keep it running. Old cars tend to chew through a lot of parts if driven regularly, which can make keeping them on the road a real challenge.

Honda hears your dilemma, dear owners, and it has a solution. But there’s a caveat. You must be a first gen NSX owner, or potential owner. That’s because, beginning in spring 2026, Honda will sell new replacement parts for your old NSX.

This news, which comes to us via a recent report in Car and Driver, has been in the works for a while. Honda has been considering a replacement parts program for years, and it’s not the only one. Nissan and Toyota have parts programs for their heritage cars, as does Mazda, which makes replacement parts for the first gen MX-5 Miata, and RX-7. Mercedes-Benz and Porsche have had similar programs in place for years, according to Car and Driver.

Honda’s program for the NSX will not simply recycle old parts but will consist of new manufactured bits created with modern technology including 3-D printing, Car and Driver reports.

For those wondering about new parts for other classic Hondas, Car and Driver says the Integra Type R and S2000 could be next, but programs for those cars have yet to be confirmed.

An in-house restoration program, like the one Mazda offers for the first gen Miata, is also planned for the first gen NSX. But the bad news is it’s only for Japanese owners, Car and Driver says. Hopefully one day that program will cross the Pacific.

Photos courtesy of American Honda

Mazda RX-7 successor on the horizon

2025-07-08T22:13:57+00:00

Mazda has not sold a rotary engine-powered sports car in a very long time, but it seems like that might change over the next few years.

We say that because of a recent article from MotorTrend, says a new Mazda sports car is in development. But first, some caveats. It hasn’t been officially confirmed by Mazda, so we don’t know when (or if) it will arrive. And we don’t know much about the car itself, such as its name.

But, based on what MotorTrend is reporting, there is enough evidence to predict a new rotary-engine sports car based on the Iconic SP concept revealed at the Japan Mobility Show in 2023 will likely arrive in the coming years.

The Iconic SP concept, pictured here, looks a lot like the third gen Mazda RX-7, with its curvaceous body work and Coke bottle proportions. Built from 1991 through 2002, the third gen RX-7 left our shores in North America in 1995 due to declining sales.

According to MotorTrend, power for the new car could take the form of a hybrid range-extender set-up like that in Iconic SP, which featured a dual-rotor rotary engine paired with an electric motor. Estimated combined output is 365 horsepower.

MotorTrend notes that Mazda used a rotary engine as a range extender in the 2023 MX-30. This version of the since discontinued crossover wasn’t sold in North America because it didn’t pass emission standards at that time. Mazda says its new, more powerful rotary engine will meet EPA standards.

We know what you’re thinking, and we thought the same thing: rotary engines tend to pollute a lot, and they aren’t very fuel efficient. The former is one of the main reasons the RX-8, the RX-7’s initial successor, was discontinued. It literally couldn’t pass European emissions, and that was in 2010.

Well, according to MotorTrend, Mazda has improved its understanding of how the rotary engine works, including meeting tightening global emission standards, and how it can work with different fuels, such as hydrogen. Presumably, this means the new rotary will be future-proofed to last longer than its predecessors, but time will tell.

For the sake of the new sports car, the tech had better be future-proofed because Mazda wants to use the rotary as a primary source of propulsion, according to MotorTrend. A second powertrain option will also be offered. No details were mentioned, but apparently an EV version isn’t in plans. Not yet at least.

As for when this theoretical sports car would go into production, MotorTrend says 2026 is possible, as the new rotary engine should be ready by then, but Mazda isn’t commenting officially yet.

One final thing worth noting is the new Mazda sports car will not replace the MX-5 Miata roadster. The plan is to have two Mazda sports cars. MotorTrend also reported a new Miata is in development. No timeframe for a fifth gen model was mentioned but it shouldn’t be too far off. The current fourth gen ND Miata has been in production since 2015.

Photos courtesy of Mazda North America

Industry News - ����ɬ is the Tuner's Source for Modified Car Culture since 1999