I’ll admit it. At first, I didn’t know what Hyundai Australia’s plans were for the N-spec iMax. I initially thought it was a science experiment of sorts, a way to infuse Hyundai N into something — in this case, a passenger van — that nobody would’ve expected. But as I learned more about it, that’s when it became clear. This isn’t your typical Hyundai iMax van. It’s not even your not-so-typical iMax N van.
You can tell by the way it looks that the iMax N Drift Bus is different. How often do you see a family-oriented vehicle wearing a body kit and a set of 19-inch wheels that look like they were taken straight out of the i30 N. It doesn’t just end there. The iMax N Drift Bus is also dressed in the same Performance Blue paint finish that most of Hyundai’s N vehicles come in. Inside, the van comes with a unique steering wheel, leather and suede upholstery, and front sports seats. Yes, sports seats. In a van. If that doesn’t give you hints of what to expect with this ride, perhaps you can look at its engine.
Throw in an eight-speed automatic transmission that Hyundai Oz developed in-house and sends power to the two rear wheels and a limited-slip differential, and you have a tail-happy — it doesn’t have one, but bear with me — passenger van that can burn rubber like a veteran drift car.
In the event that you remain skeptical of what the iMax N Drift Bus is capable of, go ahead and watch this video provided by Hyundai Australia. There’s a good chance that you’re going to want one after watching it. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen because the one-off iMax N Drift Bus isn’t headed to production anytime soon. It will, in all likelihood, join the one-off Santa Fe Cabriolet wherever it is that Hyundai Australia stored it.