Hyundai i30 N to get revised suspension in 2019

Hyundai said the i30 N's 2019 suspension changes won't hamper handling. We put that claim to the test

We love the Hyundai i30 N at PH. Developed under the guidance of ex-BMW M boss Albert Biermann, it proved in one fell swoop that South Korea can make a hot hatch and it can make it very, very good. Fast, extremely capable and (crucially) just a bit silly, it has us convinced that Hyundai can do far more than make five-door cars only an in-law would desire.

But there is, of course, room for improvement. Hyundai performance division vice president Thomas Schemera told PH as much when explaining what changes to expect with the updated 2019 version. During a prototype drive at the Millbrook Proving Ground (where Hyundai N's driver experience days are being held) in his next baby, the i30 N Fastback, the former BMW M USA manager said modifications are being made to the suspension setup in response to customer feedback.

“We now know that there is space to improve the i30 N’s Normal drive mode in particular,” he explained from the passenger seat. “We’ve really worked to improve the refinement without sacrificing the high performance handling, which I must stress, still remains the most important part of development for this car’s suspension.”

Schemera said that the i30 N Fastback would be the first to get the enhanced ‘2019 setup’ that includes new, 7mm longer polyurethane bump stops designed to provide damping support more of the time and in a more progressive way. The i30 N hatchback will receive the same enhancements, albeit calibrated for its slightly heavier structure, later on.

“There have also been changes to the front anti-roll bar that will help to make the car feel more refined,” Schemera added. He emphasised that this would have no impact on the car’s responsive front axle, “because we know it is important for performance driving customers not to lose this quality in the car”.

So, can you feel the changes from behind the wheel? After a back-to-back drive in an i30 N hatch and the prototype Fastback, we’d have to say yes, the damping does feel more resolved. The car’s inherent composure remains and N Mode is still teeth shatteringly firm – this mode is best left for track use – but in Normal mode the Fastback prototype definitely breaks less of a sweat over Millbrook’s rough surfaces.

We grilled Sven Risch, Hyundai’s high performance brake and chassis control genius (our title, not theirs) on how this wizardry was possible and he said that it was his team’s calibration technology that had allowed the use of a slightly more supple suspension setup.

“We can reduce the spring rates for comfort but prevent body roll by encouraging the outside damper to tighten when going through a corner,” Risch said. “Plus, having longer polyurethane bump stops on the front axle doesn’t only improve refinement, it also helps the suspension to provide more feedback as to when understeer will happen. We think we’ve done a good job for that.”

While it would be unfair to arrive at a proper verdict regarding the new chassis setup after only sampling a prototype, it would be fair to say at this stage that Risch’s confidence doesn’t exactly feel misplaced. Given that the Fastback will only be Hyundai N’s second model, we’d also say it represents a ruddy good rate of progress, even for a division with a couple of ex-BMW M bosses at the helm.

“We’re happy because we’ve already grabbed people’s attention with the i30 N,” said Schemera when asked how he thought the N division was doing. “I know from people in the industry that our rivals are already planning a response because we’ve done something different here. It’s given us confidence, confidence that Hyundai N can be respected as a proper performance brand very quickly. Quicker than the norm.”

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Dale487

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