HYUNDAI I20 N ON SALE NOW FROM £24,995

Hyundai has announced that its new i20 N hot hatch is now available to order with prices starting from £24,995.

The eagerly-awaited model is the latest car to come from Hyundai’s sporty ‘N’ division and rivals the Ford Fiesta ST and Volkswagen Polo GTI.

Powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine delivering 201bhp and 203lb ft, the i20 N is able to reach 0-60mph in just 6.5 seconds and can hit a top speed of 142mph. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a sixspeed manual gearbox.

A range of performance featureshavealsobeenintroduced, including a mechanical limited-slip differential and launch control.

Five driving modes are available – Normal, Eco Sport, N and N Custom – which tailors the car’s settings depending on what sort of driving is required, while the exhaust note can even be tailored with a variable muffler controller system.

With styling that’s said to be inspired by Hyundai’s World Rally Championship cars, the i20 N gets far more muscular styling than the regular car. Highlights include new matte grey 18-inch alloy wheels with red brake callipers, a large rear wing and a wide grille that features a chequered-flag inspired pattern. Inside, it also comes with heated sports seats with blue stitching and a heated sports steering wheel.

Other standard equipment includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, a wireless smartphone charging pad and digital dial display. The only options available are a two-tone black roof and Bose sound system – costing £500 each – and metallic paint for £550. .