Hyundai Reveals First Ever Hot Hatch: Meet The 271bhp i30 N
It’s been four years in the making, but Hyundai has finally revealed what it hopes to be the next great hot hatch.
The i30 N is the product of years of motorsports research, including Hyundai’s World Rally Championship entries and a couple of attempts at the fearsome Nurburgring 24 Hours.
Based on the i30 family hatchback, the i30 N has been thoroughly reworked by Hyundai’s new performance division, catchily titled ‘N’.
The i30 N sports a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, which packs 247bhp in the standard car and up to 271bhp in the Performance Package model. This drives a six-speed manual gearbox which delivers every drop of power to the front wheels alone.
On paper, this means a 0-60mph time of around six seconds, and the i30 N is limited to a top speed of 155mph. A launch control system is available to ensure perfect starts every time.
With electronic controlled suspension, an electronic limited slip diff that promises a 5 per cent increase in cornering speeds, a switchable rev-matching downshift function and a variable exhaust valve system with ‘after-burn’ sound, the i30 N promises to be a proper hot hatch. A special ‘N’ button sets all of the cars functions into maximum attack mode.
In the cabin, the i30 N offers an eight-inch touchscreen with navigation and a performance display that includes power, torque, boost and lap-time readings. The N mode menu allows the driver to select custom settings for the engine, suspension, steering, diff, rev-matching, exhaust and stability control.
It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charging pad and a seven-year subscription to Hyundai LIVE services, which includes real time weather, traffic and, probably most usefully in a hot hatch, speed camera data.
Safety assists like autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping and traffic sign recognition are also standard, as is an auto high beam headlight function.
Hyundai derives the ‘N’ name for its performance division from both the company’s Namyang R&D centre in Korea and the Nurburgring, home to Hyundai’s Testing Centre. During the car’s development, test mules would rack up almost 500 laps of the ‘Ring each in just four weeks, as part of a 120,000-mile accelerated durability test program.
The i30 N has also been entered into the Nurburgring 24 Hours twice, to test powertrain components and suspension settings. This all probably means that the car will inevitably have a Nurburgring lap time associated to it.
There’s no word on price yet, but the i30 N should launch across Europe by the end of 2017.
Comments
I think that Hyundai makes boring cars, but this hatchback looks really good, especially from the front. I would even consider taking it over a new Golf.
I actually think it looks kind of bland from the front. Not bad, just not special. The back looks really good, and the interior looks nice, but the front doesn’t scream “hot hatch” to me. Although I suppose the golf GTI is pretty subtle too and it sells well
Time to get one
-Every Manual Purist Ever
HOLA!
I feel like Hyundai is maybe, 6 years away from being relevant in the US market. They’re constantly upping their game and making good products. But, at least from what I’ve seen personally, there still isn’t the draw felt by younger buyers. There’s the Genesis coupe and the Veloster (if that’s still around) but I think they need 1 car that is attractive to younger buyers without just reaching to people looking for a sports car.
I think the new elantra is doing a great job with younger buyers. They also have a genesis g70 coming which looks like it could attract a lot of young buyers looking for an entry level 3 series
I think it’s a shame they stopped making Tiburons/Coupes/Tuscanis. Those are pretty cool, sporty and cheap cars. But unfortunately somewhat rare. They could have been the key to get youngsters interested
I almost bought a Genesis Couple V6 a couple weeks ago. I was hyped, as it was at a good price with lots of aftermarket goodies and very low mileage. Checked the 0-60, and changed my mind. I don’t want a weekend car that barely beats out my Focus.
The ingredients are right now we have to see if the chef mixed them right.
KOREANS ARE COMING!!!
We better get this in America Hyundai. The best you give us is the Hyundai Volester Turbo and the Kia Soul Turbo
I believe this IS the new volester, IIRC the i30 will be dubbed volester in NA
It looks good, but it doesn’t look that “hot”. But I do love low profile hot hatches.
Wasn’t there someone from the BMW M division working on Hyundai N division?
Yes, Albert Biermann former chief engineer from BMW’s M Division is the man behind the development of this car.
Looks great but please change the logo, looks so 90’s.
Amazing