Tuesday 10th September 2019

Hyundai i30 N Project C | Frankfurt 2019

Tuned-up version of 275hp i30 N sheds 50kg with forged alloys and carbon bits

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Remember the i30 N Project C Hyundai teased last month? It’s been fully revealed at the Frankfurt motor show along with a list of specifications that make us even more jealous it’s not coming to Britain. If you need reminding, the Project C is a lighter, sharper version of the N division’s five-door hatch, based on the 275hp Performance variant and set to be built in just 600 units.

Its name is a nod to Area C, Hyundai’s high-performance test area at the ‘Ring, as well as an attempt to highlight its use of carbon fibre and, err, to emphasise a lowered centre of gravity. The latter drops by 8.8mm, helped in part by a 6mm lower ride height and a 50kg weight loss thanks to a whole host of new bits – including a set of forged OZ wheels, which together shave 22kg off the i30 N’s mass.

The carbon bits contribute to a large portion of the rest of the diet, with the most significant uses of CFRP coming in the Project C’s bonnet, sills and backs of its Sabelt sports seats. There are also new aluminium rear hubs that take 4.66kg out of the car; they come as part of chassis enhancements intended to sharpen handling further, including retuned dampers and stiffer springs. Yes, that means N mode will be even harder – in fact all modes will be.

Hyundai has trimmed its Project C cabin with Alcantara, wrapping the touchpoints – the steering wheel, handbrake and gear lever – in the stuff. The N mode button is now orange, by the way, matching the stitching on those Sabelt chairs, and buyers get a new badge on the dashboard displaying the car’s build number. But only if they live on the continent, because it definitely isn’t coming to Blighty. Deliveries across the Channel start later this year.

Previous story - 10.09.2019

Hyundai will launch an even more sporting version of its i30 N that takes inspiration from the N Option concept, building on the top 275hp Performance variant with track-honed upgrades. Set for reveal at the Frankfurt motor show, the changes include a set of firmer springs, lightweight 19-inch alloys and carbon fibre reinforced plastic bumpers, as well as a more prominent front splitter and finned side skirts to work the air harder.

That’s all the technical information we have for now – not that further details matter for those of us in Britain, since Hyundai’s fettled hot hatch is to be produced in only 600 units and all will be left-hand drive. If you think that seems odd, so do we, because the i30 N has proven popular in the UK, where it’s done a whole lot of good for the brand amongst British enthusiasts.

Why exclude the UK? Perhaps Hyundai believes a firmer spring setup might nudge its five-door Focus ST rival too far to the stiff side for British roads. Indeed, the standard car’s N Mode has consistently shown itself to be too hard for our uneven surfaces - although our old longtermer did fare rather well with the setting on circuit. More often than not, though, PH found the softest suspension settings were perfectly capable of delivering the most suitable on-road performance.

Still, we can’t help but feel a bit (a lot) left out, what with Britain arguably being the spiritual home of the hot hatch – and the place Ford thought was most deserving of a special, coilover-wearing version of the Fiesta ST. Nevertheless, if you’re on the continent, orders for the roadgoing i30 N Project C should open swiftly after it’s world debut next month. Yes, we’re jealous.

[FaNtheMaN26]

That is bizarre...sales and marketing dept your all fired

I reckon a few existing owners would have traded up and they'd have sold the 600 easy

Still, I am happy, standard one almost as good as my type R already ;-)

[Limpet]

Just wondering how well the i30N has sold in the badge/image-conscious UK market, and whether the decision not to release the Project C in RHD could be a reflection of potential demand. These cars are still a pretty rare sight on the roads here in the UK. I reckon I've personally seen no more than a handful of them since they were launched.

I haven't seen any recent figures, but I remember reading a year or so ago that 60% of the European sales at that point were in Germany. I can't find any reference to UK sales figures, but howmanyleft suggests just 17 Ns, and 1,200 N Performance models are registered. I can't believe it's that low in reality, but also can't help wondering if it's not doing so well here.

[cookie1600]

So reading between the lines, am I right in saying our crap roads are making international car manufacturers think about not selling vehicles here?

I thought £millions were being spent filling in pot-holes and other road surface improvements (clearly not in Sussex)?

[untakenname]

Had a play with an i30 on track last year and it seemed pretty rapid but the exterior needs a bit more work imo to differentiate it from a cooking i30, some flared arches and wider track would help imo.

[A86D]

I love my i30n. This doesn’t seem to bring much else to the table though ? Would be nice for a little power boost. And has been mentioned some sort of styling that differentiates it from the standard offering.

[Kev_Mk3]

So yet again the UK market for these gets nothing. You can get loads of options in Europe, yet we cant get them from dealers or when we order the cars. The cars have a great Uk following but we dont seem to get support, even dealer networks are trying to now charge for items that should be standard and added in the pre collection check over.

I am awaiting my collection date but this isnt good from Hyundai IMO

[Zoon]

Not keen on the paint

[Jon_S_Rally]

Boooo.

I can understand not releasing here if the car is very stiff to a point, but at least give the UK market the performance accessories, so people can add the stiff suspension if they want it.

The UK seems the perfect market to launch some option parts.

[Kenny Powers]

Perhaps some legislative implications for the UK market that were deemed not cost effective to overcome against anticipated demand. Perhaps some hardware packaging limitation meaning no RHD cars at all (for any market). Less likely but still possible. Either not possible, or not profitable. Those are pretty much the only two reasons they would not supply the UK market with cars.

Edited by Kenny Powers on Tuesday 20th August 17:21

[Kev_Mk3]

Kenny Powers said:

Perhaps some legislative implications for the UK market that were deemed not cost effective to overcome against anticipated demand. Perhaps some hardware packaging limitation meaning no RHD cars at all (for any market). Less likely but still possible. Either not possible, or not profitable. Those are pretty much the only two reasons they would not supply the UK market with cars.

Edited by Kenny Powers on Tuesday 20th August 17:21

True but the aftermarket parts could offer them to us as we are a lot more lax than Europe

[ZX10R NIN]

Limpet said:

Just wondering how well the i30N has sold in the badge/image-conscious UK market, and whether the decision not to release the Project C in RHD could be a reflection of potential demand. These cars are still a pretty rare sight on the roads here in the UK. I reckon I've personally seen no more than a handful of them since they were launched.

I haven't seen any recent figures, but I remember reading a year or so ago that 60% of the European sales at that point were in Germany. I can't find any reference to UK sales figures, but howmanyleft suggests just 17 Ns, and 1,200 N Performance models are registered. I can't believe it's that low in reality, but also can't help wondering if it's not doing so well here.

Not sure on the numbers but I see a lot around here (there are 3 on my road) they're proving quite popular

[Seanseansean]

ZX10R NIN said:

Not sure on the numbers but I see a lot around here (there are 3 on my road) they're proving quite popular

I have seen quite a few around the midlands.

[Kev_Mk3]

Limpet said:

Just wondering how well the i30N has sold in the badge/image-conscious UK market, and whether the decision not to release the Project C in RHD could be a reflection of potential demand. These cars are still a pretty rare sight on the roads here in the UK. I reckon I've personally seen no more than a handful of them since they were launched.

I haven't seen any recent figures, but I remember reading a year or so ago that 60% of the European sales at that point were in Germany. I can't find any reference to UK sales figures, but howmanyleft suggests just 17 Ns, and 1,200 N Performance models are registered. I can't believe it's that low in reality, but also can't help wondering if it's not doing so well here.

The N seems to be very rare as everyone went for the performance pack at only 3k more roughly.

[Augustus Windsock]

A shame we won’t get it, I love ‘hot hatches’ and as others opine, I’m can’t see why they won’t sell it here unless sales of its sibling have been underwhelming.
As an aside, the interior is refreshingly clear of tinsel and tat, there are too many rivals who have made their interiors something like Buck Rogers would enjoy. This? It’s got an interior that my elderly mother could quite feasibly get in and use with only a few minutes ‘orientation’.
Well done Hyundai, but a shame your marketing people have possibly dropped the ball...

[Turbobanana]

Article said:

Why exclude the UK?

Because we drive on the wrong side of the road?

[Jon_S_Rally]

Augustus Windsock said:

A shame we won’t get it, I love ‘hot hatches’ and as others opine, I’m can’t see why they won’t sell it here unless sales of its sibling have been underwhelming.
As an aside, the interior is refreshingly clear of tinsel and tat, there are too many rivals who have made their interiors something like Buck Rogers would enjoy. This? It’s got an interior that my elderly mother could quite feasibly get in and use with only a few minutes ‘orientation’.
Well done Hyundai, but a shame your marketing people have possibly dropped the ball...

My understanding is that sales of the i30N have well exceeded expectations in the UK, which makes the decision not to bring this car here even more baffling. Maybe there are issues surrounding RHD.

Even if we couldn't get this model, it seems mad that we couldn't at least have some of the performance accessories that are available on the continent. Poor show by Hyundai really. That being said, if I do buy a new/nearly new hot hatch in the future, the i30 remains top of my list. I just wish I could have the choice of some warranty friendly tweaks.

[fido]

Project C. Lol.

"Project A and B were a complete failure. But now, ladies and gentlemen, we finally have a working hot hatch, which we shall call... Project C."

[Matt-gygen]

I don't understand Hyundai at all, with the release of the I30N they really seemed to be heading in the right direction. It's a fantastic car but doesn't quite fit for me, so they then release the fast back which doesn't really appeal to a different market than the hatchback, in the UK at least I know the Germans love a sedan. And they now release a slightly lighter I30N in LHD only despite the UK being the second biggest purchaser of the I30N in Europe, behind Germany.

Kia meanwhile have done some market research and produced the Proceed shooting brake... so why haven't Hyundai made an I30N tourer? Either they don't like making money or maybe I'm in a much smaller minority that I thought

[indapendentlee]

Turbobanana said:

Article said:

Why exclude the UK?

Because we drive on the wrong side of the road?

I think it's mainly because they make a lot more money selling them in Europe owing to the current exchange rate.

[Court_S]

Shame these aren’t coming to the UK; the seats help lift the cabin a fair bit.

I really like the i30n though and see a few about. They do sound pretty damn good for a four cylinder turbo.