Hyundai enters hot-hatch sports scene with i30 N
For the longest time, Hyundai has been itching to play in the sport compact segment. The turbocharged Veloster and sprightly Elantra Sport are stellar first attempts, but they’re not quite on the same level as most rivals.
That’s not the case anymore, at least in Europe. Enter the i30 N, the first vehicle under Hyundai’s performance-oriented N division and arguably the Korean automaker’s first true hot hatch. Aimed squarely at the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI, the i30 N is available in two flavours, both powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The base i30 N is rated at 246 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while an optional Performance Package turns up the heat to 271 hp. A six-speed manual is the only transmission option, sending kick to the front wheels. The standard i30 N sprints from rest to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, while the Performance Package cuts that time to 6.1. So far, so good.
The i30 N has additional tweaks, including larger brakes, beefed-up suspension bits, electronically adjustable dampers and extra chassis bracing, plus re-tuned power steering, traction and stability control systems, and an electronic limitedslip differential on the front axle.
The i30 N also lets drivers choose between a handful of driving modes, all of which alter various characteristics of the car. Base i30 Ns come with 18-inch wheels and Michelin performance tires, while the Performance Package adds 19-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires and an active exhaust system.
The i30 N wears more aggressive styling inside and out compared to the standard i30. More aggressive bodywork all around completes the look outside, while the cabin gets a chunkier steering wheel, sport seats finished in leather or cloth, and a few other touches. Based on the i30, the N receives the usual tech features, including either a five- or eight-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with a list of active safety gear.
The i30 N will make its official debut in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show and will go on sale in Europe by the end of 2017.
Although we won’t see the i30 N in Canada as an addition to the Elantra GT family, Hyundai is planning another N model for the North American market.