Hot looks for new Hyundai i30 model
HYUNDAI is hoping to curry favour with those who want hot hatch looks but without the costs by introducing a new range of i30 N Line models.
Dressed in a similar fashion to the high performance i30 N but with a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine under the bonnet, the N Line versions are priced from £21,255.
That’s almost £8,000 cheaper than what it takes to get behind the wheel of the very hot i30 N Performance models and there’s a saving on insurance too.
And while Hyundai’s i30 N is good enough to leave a VW Golf GTI wanting, the performance from the N Line is more than enough to keep anyone happy in everyday use.
There’s 140ps to go at and while performance figures are the same as any other 1.4 T-GDI i30 with a 0 to 60 time of 8.9 seconds and a top end of 130mph.
Fuel economy is also good with the car rated at 48.7mpg and a CO2 figure of 133g/km for a six-speed manual and even better for ones fitted with a seven-speed dual clutch auto transmission which are rated at 49.6 to the gallon.yuHy
We averaged 44.7mpg on a good country run in a manual i30 N Line so the official figures appear close to the mark.
There’s a pleasant surprise when it comes to handling with tweaks to the suspension and brakes as well as the throttle response making the i30 N Line a lively little performer that grips well.
But its in the looks department where the N Line scores and it has the same aerodynamic bumpers as those on the N models.
It also sits on 18-inch alloys and has twin rear exhausts which are set in a pair at the right of the rear as opposed to the layout on the N cars where the exhaust outlets are separated by a diffuser.
At a glance – and apart from N Line badges on the front wings – that is the only real difference between the two.
Inside there are changes as well with the N Line cars having sports seats and share the same steering wheel and tactile gear lever as the N cars. They also have a black headlining and chrome effect door handles which are absent on regular i30s.
The car we tried was in N Line + trim and priced from £23,255 with sat nav adding an extra £250.
Extra features included heated leather and suede seats embossed with an N Line logo, electrical adjustment in the front and a memory function for the driver’s seat.
It looks the part and creature comforts include a heated steering wheel, dual zone climate control and automatic lights and wipers as well as ultra-bright LED headlamps.
As such it lacked little and for £23,505 is keenly priced, especially taking into account Hyundai’s aftercare which includes a five year unlimited mileage warranty as well as roadside assistance.
On top of that there’s insurance groupings of 14 for the standard N Line or 15 for the N Line + and that’s a considerable saving over the group 28 rating of the N Performance model.
The N Line cars slot into the middle of the i30 line up and retain all the features of the five-door range with a good amount of space inside and boot space ranging from a useful 395 to 1,301 litres.
Where they score is with their looks and a more family-friendly approach to performance – and that is a good formula in this age where style is so important.