Car News

202kW and 353Nm 2018 Hyundai i30 N revealed…

14 Jul 2017

Isaac Bober 3

The 2018 Hyundai i30 N has been revealed overnight and marks not just the brand’s first N performance car but also Hyundai’s first hot hatch.

THE 2018 HYUNDAI I30 N has been revealed overnight as being born in Namyang, Korea but honed at the Nürburgring. Hyundai says the i30 N was inspired by its experience in world rally, a discipline it entered in 2014… and the N represents a chicane “the ultimate corner where the i30 N has been tested thoroughly and has proven its ability”. Although it could just as easily stand for its birthplace and test site.

In a statement, Hyundai said: “Built on the New Generation i30, the i30 N has been developed from the ground up to deliver maximum driving pleasure in everyday life on the road, as well as on the track”.

“The Hyundai i30 N has been developed for no other purpose than to deliver maximum driving fun to our customers in an accessible high-performance package,” says Albert Biermann, Executive Vice President Performance Development and High Performance Vehicle Division (and former boss at BMW M).

“With the high-performance N models we will enhance our brand’s appeal with emotional products that cater to the needs of people who love to have a smile on their face when they drive their car on a winding road and listen to the sound of the engine. That’s why we measure high-performance in BPM, heart beats per minute instead of only RPM.”

Performance to the power of N

Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with two outputs available, 184kW and 202kW both with 353Nm of torque. The i30 N is front-wheel drive only and is only available with a six-speed manual only. The thing can get to 100km/h from 6.2-6.4 seconds depending on the output. Fuel consumption hasn’t been revealed.

Depending which variant you choose, you’ll get either an 18-inch (i30 N sits 4mm lower than standard) or 19-inch (sits 8mm lower than standard) wheel and tyre package, with either Michelin or Pirelli rubber. A limited slip differential and variable exhaust valve system is part of the Performance Package “to provide the optimal race track experience”.

The i30 N offers five driving modes which are displayed on the standard 5.0-inch touchscreen (cost optional 8.0-inch), the modes are: Eco, Normal, Sport, N and N Custom (offering Eco, Normal, Sport and Sport+). The different modes tweak the engine, the dampers, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Limited Slip Differential (E-LSD), engine sound, steering and rev matching.

In a first for Hyundai, the i30 N gets launch control which is active when in N mode with ESC turned off and the clutch disengaged. Slot first gear and drop the clutch within five seconds with the throttle pinned to the floor. There’s also rev matching which can be turned on or off via the steering wheel. The i30 N also gets electronic dampers which means ride and handling can be tuned to suit the selected driving mode.

Hyundai has fitted the i30 N with an electronic sound generator and a variable valve exhaust system (but only with the Performance Package). The “twin-outlet active exhaust has several settings, allowing the car to increase the amount of exhaust sound from normal to decidedly powerful,” Hyundai said.

*After-fire sound is heard only in Sport+

“The N-badged Hyundai focuses on taking the vehicle beyond its role of being just a means of transportation. It offers the customer the thrill and excitement of driving a high-performance car and becoming one with the car as it moves through corners at speed,” Hyundai said.

The i30 N will go on-sale in Europe later this year and Australia not long after that. Pricing and final specification hasn’t been announced but it’ll come standard with the brand’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

Question: Do you think the Hyundai i30 N can win buyers away from vehicles like the Volkswagen Golf GTI?