Hyundai iMax N ‘Drift Bus’ is complete bonkers

MANILA: Hyundai Australia has just previewed a track-ready iMax N with a fitting nickname—the ‘Drift Bus.’ If the iMax N looks vaguely familiar, it should be. Hyundai named it Grand Starex for the Philippines market.

To make the iMax N Drift Bus ‘track-worthy,’ Hyundai Australia replaced the usual 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine that produces 170 hp of power with a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine that can generate a maximum of 402 hp of power and 555Nm of torque. The powerful engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission hooked to a “corner-craving” differential and breathes through a bi-modal exhaust that makes a roaring V6 noise which will keep your adrenalin pumping.

The Hyundai Drift Bus rides on 19-inch alloy wheels taken from an i30 N and fitted with N performance braking hardware for maximum stopping power to make it truly track-worthy. The van is also tricked out with a bespoke aerodynamic body kit with front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler.

Like the usual Grand Starex, the Drift Bus has a rear-wheel-drive configuration but with more grunt, as have been showcased in Hyundai’s promotional video that shows the van drifting and sliding around a racetrack.

Inside, Hyundai maintained its eight-seater layout trimmed in the same dark suede and leather you get in an i30 N, as well as N sport steering wheel. This is what differentiates the iMax N Drift Bus from other track-spec vans like the Ford Transit Supervan and the Renault Espace F1 that sacrificed the seats to mid-mount the engine. Hyundai even boasts that the Drift Bus still has the original 842-litre boot, enough for your pit crew and track tires according to the company. Hyundai adds that the van has a perfect 50:50 weight distribution provided that all eight seats are occupied.

While it is not set for production and not road legal, it is a fully functional track vehicle. We’ll get to see more drifts from the iMax N this coming weekend for the World Time Attack Challenge at the Sydney Motorsport Park in Australia where the Hyundai iMax N Drift Bus has entered in three events: the Time Attack Clubsprint class (alongside the previously revealed i30 Fastback N entry), the Flying 500 drag demonstration, and the International Drift Cup.

Also Read: All-new Hyundai Grand Starex Urban goes official