Tuesday 3rd May 2022

Hyundai launches i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition

Fancy your i30 N with dark bronze alloys and a liberal coating of Alcantara? Course you do...

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Hyundai has spent the last few years following the hot hatch playbook with remarkable diligence. First we got the i30 N (and Veloster N outside Europe) to set out the stall. Then we got the Fastback version. Then we got the smaller i20 N. And then we got the Kona N. From C segment to B segment to compact crossover. It is a tried and tested route to the nation's heart, and it has succeeded. And we know this is true, because Hyundai can now credibly introduce special edition trim variants without anyone cocking a dissatisfied eyebrow. The firm has paid its dues.

Notably, the i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition isn't trying to be anything more than a flashy looking i30 N. Interestingly, it features the eight-speed DCT as standard, but otherwise the 280hp model is mechanically identical to any other high-spec i30 N. The crucial thing is that thanks to 'new exclusive design elements' it looks different, and, thanks to global production being limited to 800 units - with just 75 reserved for the UK - it will be a comparatively rare sight on the road.

Hyundai says it took onboard market and media feedback when it developed the Drive-N, and drew additional inspiration from N-thusiasts (brilliant). So, beyond the option of Phantom Black Pearl or Serenity White Pearl, you get 19-inch forged alloy wheels in a dark bronze finish, flanked by special decals and with black Hyundai badges. In addition, you also get two dark bronze Drive-N badges on the wings which display the GPS coordinates of the firm's European testing centre - which is a neat way of not mentioning the Nürburgring by name or reproducing a tedious map.

Inside, each car gets a unique numbered badge (obviously), and, perhaps more significantly, Alcantara with red stitching covering the steering wheel, gear lever, armrest and handbrake. Alongside red accents applied elsewhere, this ought to ensure that the Drive-N feels appropriately different to any other i30 N - and not unlike the special edition hot hatches you might have seen launched by Volkswagen or Renault or any other enthusiast-pleasing European manufacturer in the last ten years. Which is, of course, no coincidence at all. No word on pricing just yet, but expect the usual special edition premium to be applied when it goes on sale in the very near future.

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• 2021 Hyundai i30 N DCT | PH Review
• 2021 Hyundai i20 N | PH Review

[fantheman80]

Did they just give up on the photoshop level of effort when they got to the white side profile one?

Like the look of it in black have to say.

[ecs0set]

article said:

In addition, you also get two dark bronze Drive-N badges on the wings which display the GPS coordinates of the firm's European testing centre

I'm sure that sounded like a fantastic idea in the meeting.

[anonymous-user]

ecs0set said:

article said:

In addition, you also get two dark bronze Drive-N badges on the wings which display the GPS coordinates of the firm's European testing centre

I'm sure that sounded like a fantastic idea in the meeting.

[Fuzzarr]

Not feeling this very much, especially the bronze bits – feels a bit too Cupra.

Still really like the mainstream N though, especially in that lighter blue colour.

[Frimley111R]

Why not just strip a lot of stuff out of it to lose weight and then make it a 'Ring special' or something? A bit like the Megane. This is just a few minor trim changes.

[edpratt]

Does it come with some sort of free gauntlets to enable you to hold on that steering wheel?!

[Mysstree]

Still can’t see why so many people orgasm over fake suede

[anonymous-user]

Mysstree said:

Still can’t see why so many people orgasm over fake suede

Especially as after a few years it goes all bobbly and looks like a face cloth that has been abandoned at the local gym. I had it on my Audi A4 convertible, absolutely hated it and ended up buying a fuzz away in the hope of making it look better. It didn't work.

Can you imagine buying a second hand car with an alcantara steering wheel?

[Groaver]

Joey Deacon said:

Especially as after a few years it goes all bobbly and looks like a face cloth that has been abandoned at the local gym. I had it on my Audi A4 convertible, absolutely hated it and ended up buying a fuzz away in the hope of making it look better. It didn't work.

Can you imagine buying a second hand car with an alcantara steering wheel?

That's what string-back driving gloves are for.

[RB Will]

Given Hyundai's sense of fun and general spirit of these cars I'd hoped they would do a sort of clubsporty spec one like the Megane R26 R not some badges and fluff.

[Previous]

I like it. Its only a trim level, but so what?!

Black please.

[LasseV]

Frimley111R said:

Why not just strip a lot of stuff out of it to lose weight and then make it a 'Ring special' or something? A bit like the Megane. This is just a few minor trim changes.

Because it is track capable and raw already, so why add more that? It doesn't make it better. Afterall, it is hot hatch ie daily driver.

Nicer interior is nice thing in this case. Whole car looks spot on. I do like it a lot!

[Limpet]

RB Will said:

Given Hyundai's sense of fun and general spirit of these cars I'd hoped they would do a sort of clubsporty spec one like the Megane R26 R not some badges and fluff.

As the owner of a standard pre-facelift i30N Performance, I did too. I'm really happy with my car, but I will admit that a version with the wick turned up a bit, and which had been on a bit of a diet would have been pretty compelling.

I guess this is more about getting new people into the brand than persuading existing owners to upgrade.

[Frimley111R]

LasseV said:

Because it is track capable and raw already, so why add more that? It doesn't make it better.

I refer you to the Megane R26.R and RS300 Trophy-R...

[MyV10BarksAndBites]

trails said:

ecs0set said:

article said:

In addition, you also get two dark bronze Drive-N badges on the wings which display the GPS coordinates of the firm's European testing centre

I'm sure that sounded like a fantastic idea in the meeting.

I can actually imagine that person being me, trying to cheat code some cool points on to it…

[wpa1975]

I think I prefer the standard car in blue.

[sosidge]

I like this look. Couldn't get on board with the baby blue. I know Hyundai wanted to find their own "performance" colour but having it on the interior of every model was a bit much.

[Limpet]

wpa1975 said:

I think I prefer the standard car in blue.

The lacquer often falls off the blue. And Hyundai will often blame everything else under the sun before they'll admit liability.

[RB Will]

Limpet said:

The lacquer often falls off the blue. And Hyundai will often blame everything else under the sun before they'll admit liability.

I think it comes off all colours, just most of them are blue so got rep as worst for it

[Scoobysaurus]

Stick or Twist, I’d stick with the Performance Blue as well myself