Tuesday 12th September 2017

Hyundai i30 N - Frankfurt 2017

Don't forget the Megane isn't the only hot hatch making its debut in Germany!

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Hyundai has finally released full details of its forthcoming i30 N hot hatchback. Lots of details, in fact, following what has been a long gestation period for the car under the stewardship of Albert Biermann - who used to be VP of engineering for BMW's M vehicles.

Are five-door hot hatches really better?

The car has previously raced at the Nurburgring 24 hours and Biermann says that Hyundai is very serious about producing a proper sports hatchback.

The i30 N, then, is it. It'll come in two flavours - one with 250hp, or a Performance Package variant with 275hp. Both make 260lb ft.

Standard to both is a 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, driving the front-wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. There are MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear. The steering's electrically assisted via a rack-mounted motor. So far, so hatchback.

The i30 N gets adaptive dampers, too, and both standard car and Performance Package look similar, receiving the usual round of highlights that earmark a hatch as a hot one: some diffuser action at the rear, red trim highlighting, aluminium pedals, sports seats and a funkier steering wheel. There's launch control, a rev-match system on downshifts and, like a VW Golf R, a resonator at the base of the windscreen to make angry engine sounds.

Drive is at the end of the month...

Mechanically, the Performance Package is the more intriguing proposition, though. As well as the power increase to 275hp, it gets 19-inch wheels (with Pirelli P Zeros) rather than the regular N's 18s and Michelins, a proper e-diff - an electronically controlled mechanical limited-slip item, not just a system that tweaks the brakes - and a variable exhaust valve that will, in some drive modes (of which there are five, giving differing states of suspension stiffness, steering weight, and engine response), let the 'zorst pop a bit via an 'after-fire' setting. Red calipers set the Performance Pack off. Those extras mean the Performance Pack weighs 29kg more than the standard i30 N, at 1,429kg, but does have a faster 0-62mph time, of 6.2sec rather than 6.4sec. Both top out at 155mph.

Why 'N'? The symbol represents a chicane, apparently, plus Hyundai's performance HQ is based near the Nurburgring. Hyundai says it will put an emphasis is on "affordable performance". The i30 N should cost from under £30,000 when it goes on sale this autumn.

Matt Prior

[aaron_2000]

Will the steering still be horribly light and vague?

[aaron_2000]

How are you a "badge snob" for driving a VW? The Golf is a Focus rival, not an A-Class/1 Series/A3 rival. I wouldn't exactly think someone was swimming in it if they told me they drive a VW

[aaron_2000]

Truckosaurus said:

On the subject of selling performance cars from a brand with no 'history':

Subaru managed to do it in the mid-nineties with the first Impreza Turbo. They had a reputation for making decent farmer's cars, the Legacy turbo didn't especially set the world on fire even with a decent amount of WRC in those days. But somehow they hit the sweet spot with the Impreza. Offering a turbo 200bhp and 4wd when all the other hot hatches were FWD, naturally aspirated and 150bhp. Colin McRae's exploits helped, especially in the UK.

To do the same Hyundai need to be selling their Focus RS/Golf R equivalent for the price of a base ST or GTi.

Offering their typical 7-yr warranty will help residuals for PCP/Lease deals.

I'd say the reason the Subaru did well is A.) Thanks to McRae and B.) Because it was massive performance for a lower price. Under 6 seconds to 60 with 5 seats and a boot, plus real 4WD and the price it was at. I reckon the Hyundai could do well, as long as they price it right.

[aaron_2000]

0-60 in 6.2 seconds, 240bhp or 270bhp and probably gonna be price in the high 20's. It'll make more sense in 2 years when it's hit by horrific depreciation.

[aaron_2000]

Quickmoose said:

So we know Hyundai HAVE had original vehicle layout/concept ideas...
and we know Audi by comaprison haven't

Audi Quattro? Audi A2? Audi RS2?

[aaron_2000]

Quickmoose said:

yeah sorry aaron, my post was more about Audi in the relevant past and currently, not their entire history....

Everyone is copying their indicator design...

[aaron_2000]

Quickmoose said:

Hyundai haven't... yet...
though to be fair if VW's quality brand can be distilled down blinky lights....that ain't great.

I cut Audi slack because no new cars really interest me, except maybe new Volvo's if I was needing that kind of car.