Dramatic derivative
Hyundai claim that the Creta N Line is the flagship in their range of sporty cars. We were lucky enough to be on a long and empty stretch of road to experience it
With the introduction of the N Line, Hyundai India has become one of the few manufacturers who offer a sportier alternative to their standard models when compared to their peers. On the more accessible side of Rs 30 lakh, of course. The new Creta was a marked improvement on its predecessor on all fronts, including the introduction of the new 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol engine. That car is the base for the firstever Creta N Line for our market.
The N Line’s bodywork goes beyond sticking a few badges around the car. Hyundai have given the front end a significant makeover by giving this car its own unique grille and bumper. We got the exclusive N Line blue paint scheme which goes well with red accents along the lower edge of the car. At the rear, the spoiler and twin-tip exhaust steal the show. Yet the most significant change is the new set of alloy wheels. The standard car is offered with 16-/17-inch wheels but the N Line gets 18-inch ones. They fill out the wheel-arches nicely and noticeably alter vehicle dynamics too.
When compared to the exterior, the interior has not changed much. Red highlights are present on the dashboard, in the ambient lighting, and line the seats as well. N Line badges are present on the gear-lever and the steering wheel.
Personally, the latter had my full attention. It is a beautiful three-spoke unit which is refreshing to behold in the current crop of two-spoke steering wheels. The infotainment and driver’s cluster remain the same as in the standard car. Bose speakers manage audio and there is a wireless charger, too, but no wireless smartphone integration. Weird that.
By leaning towards the sporty side, the N Line has not sacrificed the practicality of the Creta. The space on offer in both rows and the boot is identical to that in the standard car, as are the features of convenience. The front row gets ventilated seats and the second row its own a-c vents and charging ports (USB-C).
Under the bonnet is the new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that develops an admirable 160 hp and 253 Nm and, as in the standard model, the sevenspeed DCT too. There is more good news. Hyundai are also offering a sixspeed manual transmission exclusive to the N Line.
Although I drove the manual only for a short duration, it was easily the more engaging option. The gear ratios are spaced well, the throws are short, and the feedback gave me joy every time I slotted the lever through a gate. All that praise can be extended to the seven-speed DCT, too, because it aligns well with the car’s sporty character.
Maximum thrill is experienced with the gear-lever and driving mode in Sport. The auto-blipper during aggressive downshifts is particularly addictive. Under acceleration, the exhaust note is certainly more sporty and urgent than the standard car’s but the growl of the i20 N Line seems superior in comparison.
What it lacks in drama, it makes up for in power and refinement. The Creta N Line goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds (claimed), which is not bad when you consider its size and the practicality on offer. In its sportiest setting, each gear is held all the way to 6,000 rpm before an upshift and the excitement is palpable when using the paddle-shifters too.
Performance at the lower end of the rev-range is nothing to write home about but once the tachometer slips into the mid-range, this N Line pulls cleanly all the way to the top, which is just what one needs for quick overtakes and for shooting out of tight bends.