Hyundai are to give their new i30 N TCR car its first public appearance in the 24 Hours of Misano event next month as part of the next phase of development for the new touring car.

The team, along with partners BRC, have entered the car into the event “in order to run in conditions that are not easily replicated in normal testing conditions”.

The car will therefore make its first public appearance at the event on July 7 to 9.

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Hyundai have also given the new racing car the ‘N’ designation, making the i30 the first road-going model from the N family.

Hyundai have been invited to the event by race organisers Creventic and sponsor Hankook, Hyundai will run a sole car, with development driver Gabriele Tarquini likely to be behind the wheel along with as-yet unannounced team-mates.

Because TCR cars are eligible for competing in endurance events, Hyundai will look to use the race to simulate tyre and brake wear, as well as the endurance fuel-filling system, which customers may encounter.

Furthermore, night-time running will allow the team to “assess different lighting options that will be eventually be offered to customers, as well as testing how the car’s systems react to the cooler night time temperatures, and the constantly changing track conditions as the race continues”.

The car will be grouped together with GT4 machinery in the race as it is not yet homologated to TCR specification. The team will not run continuously through the race, with the focus not being on outright results.

“Entering the Hyundai i30 N TCR at the 24H Misano is a unique opportunity for us during the development phase of the project,” said Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Manager Andrea Adamo.

“Obviously the running we have already completed, and that which we plan for the coming months, is very important, however, this event will give us the chance to test in conditions that are impossible to replicate away from a competitive event.

“Though we will not run continuously through the entire event we will manage our time on track, splitting the race in several sections where we can focus on long runs and the endurance racing aspects of the our design.

“With time on track at night, as well during daylight will also mean that we can see how the car’s behavior shifts depending on atmospheric and track conditions that will be constantly changing.”