New Hyundai i30 N
Hyundai have updated their i30 N hot hatch with a range of mechanical and visual upgrades, including the option of an automatic transmission for the first time. Coming in both regular hatchback and Fastback body styles, from £33,745 and £34,495 respectively, the revised Volkswagen Golf GTI rival has been given updated styling that brings it more closely in line with the recently facelifted regular i30, while greater use of lightweight materials aims to improve agility.
Styling Updates
The new Hyundai i30 N gets a remodeled front bumper with more angular air intakes and revised lights. The outgoing car’s intake-mounted daytime running lights have gone and the new model integrates these as sharp V-shaped LEDs within the main headlights.
Spot the new alloy wheels at the side and a pair of updated brake lights and a subtly tweaked rear bumper at the rear. As before, the Hyundai i30 N’s bumpers come with bright red contrasting details – so you don’t mistake it for a run-of-the-mill i30.
Engine and Transmission
As before, the Hyundai i30 N comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. This produces 250hp as standard, but you’ll be able to upgrade to a 280hp Performance Pack model. This also adds a limited-slip front differential to reduce wheelspin when you accelerate out of tight corners and larger, more powerful brakes.
The new Hyundai i30 N comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but you’ll be able to pay extra for a dual-clutch automatic gearbox for the first time. This eight-speed automatic can shift automatically or you can choose when to change gear using paddles behind the steering wheel.
The i30 N Performance gets a 5bhp power increase over the outgoing car, along with a torque boost to 289lb-ft, allowing for 0-62mph in 5.9sec – 0.2sec faster than the old model. Top speed is still electronically capped at 155mph.
Interior Design
The new Hyundai i30 N’s cabin doesn’t look radically different from the outgoing car’s interior. You get a simple dashboard, a sporty steering wheel, a set of more supportive seats, and a smattering of subtle N badges.
Performance models come equipped with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, receive larger (360mm) front brakes, and ride on newly developed 19in alloy wheels and Pirelli P-Zero rubber, which reduce unsprung mass by 14.4kg compared with the standard 18in alloys. The suspension and steering have both been retuned as a result of this weight loss.
Inside, the i30 N can now be ordered with N Light sports seats, which are 2.2kg lighter than the standard items. An optional 10.25in touchscreen infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with the latest version of Hyundai’s Bluelink connected car services.
“Since its market introduction three years ago, the i30 N has proved hugely popular with drivers seeking high-performance driving thrills,” said Albert Biermann, Hyundai’s head of research and development. Last September, Hyundai said it had sold more than 25,000 examples of the i30 N in Europe since the model’s introduction in 2017.
