IT RUNS WITH A FAST PACK
Hyundai’s N stable gets a small and punchy addition
A fter shaking up the hot hatch market with its brilliant i30 N, Hyundai’s N Performance stable delivered the i30 Fastback N. The sleek coupe-esque small sedan has no obvious rival at its $41,990 before on-roads price. It shares the hatch’s fun-packed 202kW/353Nm 2.0-litre turbo but is 12kg heavier, more aerodynamic and has a slightly softer suspension set-up.
Our family of four tests the hot five-door on the school run and the racetrack.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
IAIN: After the love-in I had with Hyundai’s i30N hatchback, I’ve got tingles seeing an N badge on this Fastback.
JULES: That’s just because Hyundai let you take it on the racetrack.
IAIN: They want you to. The five-year warranty covers non-timed track days: no other brand matches that.
JULES: This Fastback design is a bit more grown-up than the hot hatch version. I like it.
IAIN: Maybe it’s because we’ve got a black one but I prefer the hatch style. Paint this one in Hyundai’s racing blue and I may be swayed.
JULES: It costs more? IAIN: Just $1500 more than the hatch, excellent for a turbo funster with rare body style, adjustable suspension, electromechanical limited-slip differential and manual gearbox.
JULES: It looks fast just standing still. What are its rivals?
IAIN: It’ll hit 100km/h from rest in 6.1 seconds, so the rival Honda Civic Type-R and Renault Megane RS have the edge on acceleration. On the performance small sedan front, you need to pay $65,000-plus for an Audi S3 or the coming-soon Mercedes-AMG A35 — both are all-wheel drive and crack 0-100km-h in under 5.0 seconds.
THE LIVING SPACE
JULES: I have simple tastes and one of them is red stitching for seats and steering wheels. Red highlights around the air vents also meet with my approval.
IAIN: It’s blue stitching on the hatchback versions, which I think is a bit classier.
JULES: The steering wheel feels sporty and it’s great how the big “Drive Mode” and racing “N mode” buttons are just a thumb tap away. The alloy pedals and short-shift gear knob feel all racy too.
IAIN: It’s purist: there’s no auto version until later this year. It’s a really well laid out cabin, most plastics are soft, seats are nicely grippy but a lot of it feels just plain Hyundai.
JULES: True, there’s no-push button start or sporty suede or leather.
IAIN: The $3000 Luxury Pack adds a smart key and power/heated leather and suede seats for extra sporty feel. A wireless charge pad, auto wipers and front sensors make it look good value.
THE COMMUTE
JULES: Big question. Can you live with one of these every day? The ride is pretty harsh.
IAIN: Genuinely, yes. Hyundai has revised the dampers and the front springs are said to be 5 per cent softer than the hatchback’s.
JULES: It’s less hardcore then? IAIN: In a good way. The adjustable drive modes massively change the car’s characteristics, unlike so many cars with similar set-ups. In Eco or Normal mode, behaviour is docile — it absorbs most bumps acceptably, making it tolerable for the commute, and the steering is well weighted.
JULES: Until you press the N Mode button and it goes all madman.
IAIN: Oh yes. Steering weights up, suspension firms and throttle response is rapid. The exhaust wakes the neighbours too.
JULES: The infotainment with smartphone mirroring is great but the tyres were noisy on the highway. The lack of radar cruise control makes long drives harder and the manual gearbox is a pain when sitting in traffic. IAIN: Fussy. I put my head in the sand for such trivialities.
THE SHOPPING
JULES: Hatchbacks have better load access but this Fastback’s got ample room for groceries. IAIN: The boot is more capacious than the hatchback’s: 436L versus 381L.
THE FAMILY
JULES: There is space enough for our two kiddies in car seats and they loved the performance and exhaust pops.
IAIN: They are their mother’s children. Unlike the hatchback, we couldn’t get their bikes in the boot but on the family front, there’s reasonable active safety and seven airbags.
SUNDAY RUN JULES:
School drop off duties over, slap on the stickers and it’s race weekend!
IAIN: Much like any hot hatch, you only discover how damned capable these cars are on a track, or in my case, the local Noosa hill climb.
JULES: It’s nice rocking up at a race event and you’re immediately good to go. No engine fettling, changing wheel and tyres or manually adjusting suspension.
IAIN: It’s all too easy. And keeping standard road tyres on (Pirelli P-Zero 235/35) proved a great move for race day one. On a wet and greasy track, the humble Hyundai was 33rd out of 124 entries, despite it being one of the few road-registered cars, up against some serious race cars.
JULES: Yes but they were on semi-slick tyres and driving very gingerly. Don’t expect Ferrari F1 to come knocking just yet.
IAIN: Dream crusher. It still finished 64th overall after day two’s dry track. Interestingly, the i30 N hatchback I raced on the same course last year was 2.5 seconds faster over 1.5km. It was set up with competition wheels and rubber, a $5000 option — worth it if you plan lots of track use.
JULES: It sounded incredible on the track: lots of pops when shifting gears at high revs.
IAIN: Above 4000rpm, it’s a riot. There’s manual gearbox rev matching for downshifts, the brilliant front differential and precise steering suck you into turns and the brakes are fade-free on such short runs. It’s an easy and forgiving car to drive fast and well. You can even enjoy lift-off oversteer to entertain the fans trackside.
THE VERDICT
Who knew Hyundai could produce such fun and racy cars? The looks, noise and the way it goes around corners really impress. Can I have one in blue, please?
IAIN: Maybe it’s because I’m an old romantic but I’d prefer the hatchback version. Yes, this Fastback’s probably more stylish but the hot hatch is cheaper and more old-school. That said, the engine and chassis of these Hyundai N cars win me over regardless of body shape.