Hyundai iMax N Drift Bus is an eight-seater van with 402 hp.

Hyundai Australia today announces a special bespoke creation inspired by the mischievous N spirit and guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any driver… along with seven passengers. Introducing the iMax N 'Drift Bus'.

Powerful turbocharged engine? Check. Angular threaded differential? Check. N Performance Blue paint? Check. Sitting for eight drifts? Certainly.

Built by the underground skunk team at Hyundai Australia, the iMax N will make its global competition debut this weekend at the 2019 World Time Attack Challenge at Sydney Motorsport.

Unlike previous disposable speed vans - such as the Ford Transit Supervan and Renault Espace F1 - the iMax N 'Drift Bus' supports an eight-seat layout to maximize the fun factor for you and up to seven of your friends.

The inspiration for "Drift Bus" came from Hyundai Germany, which posted an image of the iMax N earlier this year as a joke in April.

In a social media poll asking Australian N fans which Hyundai model should receive the N treatment, the iMax people engine came in second behind the Tucson SUV. Tucson would be too easy.

N's philosophy, based on BPM rather than RPM - allowing for the thrill and excitement ahead of peak performance - led an Australian team of skunk workers to create the iMax N and build it to the highest engineering standards.

The stock iMax was sent to the N boot camp where it gained more strength. The conventional 2.5-litre CRDi engine was instantly ditched and replaced by a monster-sized 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 pumping out over 300kW of power and 555Nm of torque - more than enough to turn rubber into smoke even on a bus.

Breathing through a bimodal exhaust ensures that the "iMax N" sounds as good as it looks.

The powerful engine is mated to a Hyundai-designed eight-speed automatic transmission that connects to a threaded angle differential, helping to transfer the grunt to the rear wheels.

The suspension is equipped with electronically controlled dampers, while the brakes have also been given an N performance upgrade. The 19-inch alloy wheels, borrowed from the i30 N, are wrapped in quality rubber, but don't get too attached to them because the "Drift Bus" has an appetite. to tires..

By optimizing cornering performance and handling, the iMax N achieves an ideal 50-50 weight distribution with eight people on board, maximizing the smile quotient.

Inside, the iMax N looks like the part, with an N steering wheel and N sports front seats, while the two rows of rear seats are also trimmed in suede and leather. If you're going to be drifting with seven friends, you need to be perfectly comfortable and do it in style.

Drift Bus offers more than any sports sedan or SUV, with 842 liters of boot space perfect for hauling spare tyres. You can also carry the entire pit crew if required*.

The iMax N is not a production model and is not road legal, so any fun will be limited to the race track. But we believe our simple goal has been achieved: to showcase Hyundai Australia's passion for N-size and exhilarating cars for drivers...and as many passengers as possible.

To showcase their performance, iMax N 'Drift Bus' will compete in three different disciplines at the World Time Attack Challenge this weekend:

1) Clubprint class: for straight circles and corner cutting
2) Flying 500: for faster neck grip and transmission performance
3) Drifting Cup: For ultimate handling and tire burning prowess

iMax N Drift Bus Specifications Overview

Transmission and suspension

• 3.5L V6 Twin-Turbo with 300kW+ and 555Nm
• 8-speed automatic transmission
• Rear drive
• Angular traction differential
• Electronic Suspension
• N performance brake package
• Tire performance
• Bi-model exhaust
• Sub 5 seconds 0-100km/h
• Weight distribution 50-50 (on board 8 people)

External Features

• 19" alloy wheels (borrowed from the i30 N)
• Bespoke aero kit

• front splitter
• Side skirts
• Rear diffuser and bumper
• Rear spoiler with brake light

• N Performance Blue Exterior Paint

Interior Features

• N Steering wheel
• N Sport front seats with suede inserts and leather linings
• Power front seats with 12-position adjustment
• Rear seats (2 rows) in N color suede and leather
• black header
• Luggage compartment volume: 842 liters trunk (VDA)