Hyundai’s iMax N Drift Bus is an eight-seat i800 MPV with 400bhp

Hyundai Australia has revealed a one-off version of its van-based people carrier, called the iMax N. It was cobbled together using components from the Hyundai i30 N parts bin, and has one overriding ambition – to go sideways with up to eight people on board. Unfortunately, Hyundai has no plans to release a production version.

To start, Hyundai removed the standard i800’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine and replaced it with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 petrol unit, which produces 394bhp and 550Nm of torque. Like all good drift cars, power is sent to the rear wheels through a welded differential – providing a cost-friendly alternative to fitting a limited slip differential.

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Hyundai then moved to the i800’s chassis, fitting an adaptive suspension system, uprated front disc brakes and the same valved exhaust system as on the i30 N. Hyundai also swapped the i800’s standard six-stud wheel hubs for the five-stud units from the i30 N, in order to fit the hot hatchback’s wider 19-inch alloy wheels.

Aside from a considerable drop in ride height, cosmetic revisions for the Hyundai iMax N are relatively restrained, stretching to a new front splitter, bolt-on side skirts, a new rear wing and a faux diffuser fitted with a triangular fog lamp. The body is finished in the same distinctive Performance Blue paint as the Hyundai i30 N.

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The cabin features a pair of sports seats for the two front passengers and a pair of bespoke three-seat benches behind. The seats are trimmed in faux-suede and leather upholstery, and feature contrasting blue stitching and embossed Hyundai “N” logos. There’s also a digital gauge cluster and a sports steering wheel, both of which are lifted from the i30 N.

What do you make of the Hyundai iMax N drift bus? Let us know in the comments section below…