HOT Hyundais at Hampton
The very first N Track Experience served as the local launch for the epic little i20 N
By definition, a sports car is “a fast, low car, often for two people only”. We can assume that this definition was created back in the days of openwheeled race cars and horns that went, “AWOOGA.”
These days, horns are a lot less exciting, the cars look a whole lot different, and I’d argue that this definition is in need of an update. To me, the modern sports car is anything that is small, nimble, and can bring a grin to the driver’s face — like Hyundai’s N range for instance, where there is a button dedicated to doing just that.
Hyundai New Zealand held its first N Track Experience this year at Hampton Downs. It rolled out three new N vehicles in the updated i30 N hatch, the highriding Kona N, and the all-new i20 N. This event served as the local launch for the smallest member of the N family, so we’ll dive into that one first.
Under the bonnet sits a turbocharged 1.6-litre fourcylinder engine that makes
150kW/275Nm. It’s front-drive with a six-speed manual transmission, and will hit 100km/h in 6.7 seconds.
The i20 N gets a heap of upgraded hardware. For example, the “overboost” feature for the turbo pushes peak torque to 304Nm.
It also gets performance brakes with rotors that are 40mm larger than standard, and a limited-slip differential. As the entry point of the N range, the i20 starts at $53,990.
Moving one step up the N ladder will get you into an i30 N, where buyers now have the choice between a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed dual-clutch unit. This secondgeneration i30 N is powered by a
2.0-litre turbocharged engine that makes 206kW/392Nm. It’s also front-drive and will hit 100km/h in
5.4 seconds. Like its smaller sibling, it also gets an overboost function, a limited-slip differential up front, but adds electronic dampers.
The i30 N starts at $58,990 for a manual, or $65,990 for the DCT. There’s also the Fastback, which is only offered with a manual transmission at $62,990.
At the top sits the Kona N, which is basically a more practical, higher riding version of the i30 N. It gets the same turbocharged powertrain, with the same power and torque. It’s DCT only: $69,990.
Though these three turbocharged city carvers seem to be cut from the same cloth, they each offer differing experiences on the track.
The DCT-equipped i30 N has no shortage of grunt on a track like Hampton Downs. The gearbox does a fantastic job of keeping the engine in the powerband when it’s in N mode, and the chassis is surprisingly playful. On more than one occasion I found myself having to correct oversteer as the rear end would step out in corners — not something you expect from a front-drive hatch, but welcome.
As an SUV version of the i30 N, I didn’t have high hopes for the Kona. What I found out was that in N mode it’s very composed, and stiff through corners, and while it has the tendency to understeer under load, the active dampers do a great job of keeping things controlled.
Before I jumped into the i20 N hot seat, I went for a hot lap with Hayden Paddon.
Though it was by no means the fastest I had ever been around Hampton Downs, it was up there with the most exciting, as the Kiwi rally star sailed past braking markers at full speed, and tucked the hatch into corners like his life depended on it.
I thoroughly enjoyed my laps in the i20 N: it felt like the i30 N’s more unhinged little sibling. Without active dampers, the hatch leans into corners and the tyres squeal, but the limited-slip differential does a great job of keeping both front wheels powering through. With a manual transmission, the drive feels a lot more connected, and squeezing the most out of every gear is a rewarding experience.
The Hyundai N range feels right at home on track. Though 150kW might not sound like a lot of power on paper, it’s more than enough to propel the little i20 N around the track at a blistering pace. At the other end of the spectrum is the Kona N, and with sharper focus on everyday practicality, it doesn’t feel as dedicated to performance, but still offers a wild ride.
Lastly, there’s the i30 N, which remains the sweet spot of the N range. While I can understand the appeal of a DCT with modern traffic woes, a six-speed manual i30 N is truly a fantastic hot hatch, and is great value at its sub-$60k starting price.