Hyundai turn prank into drift bus

Hyundai Australia have built a Hyundai iMax N "Drift Bus" that has more seats than sense and plenty of grunt.

Engineers got to work on the custom, one-off, which features a twin-turbo V6 engine conversion, following an April Fool’s prank in Germany this year, which included a Photoshopped image depicting an iMax N.

The normal 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine has been swapped out for a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 that is paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Hyundai claims a 0-100kph time of under five seconds and a bi-modal exhaust ensures it delivers plenty of noise. A custom aero kit with a front splitter, side skirts and a rear diffuser completes the look.

Inside, there is an N steering wheel and N sports seats, but otherwise it remains an eight-seater van, with the back two rows still in place.

Hyundai says the vehicle will not be going into mass production but it will be taking part in the World Time Attack Challenge at Sydney Motorsport Park on October 18 and 19.

“iMax N is not a production model, nor is it road legal, so any grin-inducing fun will be limited to the racetrack," Hyundai says. "But we trust our simple aim has been achieved: to demonstrate Hyundai Australia’s passion for exhilarating vehicles for drivers ... and as many passengers as possible.”