Why the new i20 N is gunning for Fiesta ST
PH gets the inside track on why Hyundai feels especially confident about its next hot hatch
If the recent batch of i20 N spy pics didn’t stir your soul, then the conviction displayed by new head of development Tyrone Johnson - formerly chief engineer of the Focus RS - and head of design Thomas Buerkle might help. The brace of Hyundai execs explained to PH that its new small car would not simply copy the i30 N’s best traits, but instead seek to build on them in a bid to become the driver’s choice in the compact hot hatch segment.
“We believe now more than ever that feedback, not outright performance, should be the priority in our N models,” said Johnson when pressed on what to expect on the next N car. “It’s about providing a product that can be driven with precision, that is above all else satisfying to drive,” he added, before pointing that the i30 N is just the starting point of this new philosophy.
A strong statement from someone who heads up Hyundai's Nurburgring test centre team. Of course, the i20 N will not be as powerful as that car, and will likely get a pepped-up version of Hyundai’s turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder delivering around 200hp. But the smaller i20 platform – its wheelbase is 80mm shorter than the i30’s – ought to offer more potential for playfulness while saving a fair bit on the scales compared to the i30 N’s 1,400kg.
“The i20 N won’t just be a clone of the i30 N,” emphasised Buerkle. “It’ll have its own unique character and design. We’ll give it a unique personality to suit its size as we believe these two things should be complementary – so don’t expect a smaller i30 N!”
Buerkle alluded to even more youthful traits, suggesting that we might be given an i20 N that also likes to shout and crackle - but that above all else the entry N car will be engineered to handle sweetly and be exciting to drive. He said the priority is for the driver to “really feel the speed, be it with the noise or the way the car handles”.
“It’s all about the user experience and the enthusiasts are the main motivation,” he added, highlighting how the positive feedback from i30 N has given Hyundai more confidence to take it to the established players, despite being comparative newcomers. “We’re aiming for leadership in this class, not just to be a close follower.”
That inevitably means the i20 N will have the Fiesta ST to beat - but there’s also current Polo GTI and an upcoming new Renault Sport Clio to compete with. Spy shots of Hyundai’s test car show the i20 N will use the same Nurburgring-developed Pirelli P-Zeros as the i30 N, on 18-inch wheels. There are bigger brakes and a twin-exit exhaust system, but at this stage, there’s little else to give away what mechanical upgrades Hyundai will bring to bear.
Buerkle explained that his team were working to craft an “individual design”, although the i20 is likely to get familiar N features, such as a rear diffuser and triangular centre brake light, as well as red detailing. Could Hyundai’s latest i20 rally car provide some inspiration? “I’ll take your idea on board”, Buerkle replied. Wide-arch WRC kit, anyone? Ford won’t be crossing its fingers.
It needs to be 3 door, designed and built like the old Clio 197's and 200's with obviously wider arches and possibly even have a bit of the crazy styling that the new Type R's have too.
It needs to be 3 door, designed and built like the old Clio 197's and 200's with obviously wider arches and possibly even have a bit of the crazy styling that the new Type R's have too.
Searching for used 2018+ Ford Fiesta ST2, there are 43 5-door and 59 3-door cars currently on AT - not a huge difference.
Yes correct, enthusiasts want 197/200 clones, but that's not what sells the car for the majority of people
I don't think the styling in this is final, and as per the article will likely have i30N inspired changes.
The haters will always hate, but Hyundai and sister company KIA are the real reason the 'beloved of the boy racer' Honda brand is dying in the UK and Europe in general, and the Koreans have Ford of Europe next in their sights. If it hadn't been for the death of Sergio Marchionne they would probably already have subsumed FIAT-Chrysler.
Visually, it looks rubbish, and certainly won’t tempt away Fiesta ST buyers I wouldn’t have thought.
If they use similar design from the I30N, it'll be subtle but look different enough from the normal version. The biggest issue they face is preconceptions about the brand.
I'm really excited about this. I love the i30N and think the i20 could make the segment really interesting. The ST needs a proper rival, especially with Peugeot talking about no 208 GTI replacement. The Polo is a bit grown up and who knows what the next Clio will be like - will they be brave enough to admit they were wrong and offer a manual option?
It's going to be difficult to tempt people out of the Fiesta, but I hope this is successful. Dear Mr Johnson and Mr Buerkle, how about adding the body panels from an i20 R5? I'd buy one immediately!
Searching for used 2018+ Ford Fiesta ST2, there are 43 5-door and 59 3-door cars currently on AT - not a huge difference.
Yes correct, enthusiasts want 197/200 clones, but that's not what sells the car for the majority of people
I don't think the styling in this is final, and as per the article will likely have i30N inspired changes.
People really do need to get over the three-door thing. I'd be amazed if the next gen Fiesta is available as a three-door to be honest. Five-door makes much more sense for most people.
Searching for used 2018+ Ford Fiesta ST2, there are 43 5-door and 59 3-door cars currently on AT - not a huge difference.
Yes correct, enthusiasts want 197/200 clones, but that's not what sells the car for the majority of people
I don't think the styling in this is final, and as per the article will likely have i30N inspired changes.
Then look at 2013 to 2017 RS Clio and you'll find a total of 64 for sale with just over 90 of the previous 197/200 for sale. Not seen any sales figures on the newer 200 compared to old but I know I barely see any round my way.
Enthusiasts are who will buy these cars and who Hyundai need to attract, I've you're out to buy a Hyundai I20 now you're not the kind of person who's bothered about speed!
I've seen a few i30Ns and I've always given them a knowing nod internally - one would hope that 'brand image' is not the thing that sells cars, but the sales of deathly-dull base-spec German 'premium' brands on sky-high PCP and PCH, so the owners/leasers have a 'badge', would seem to suggest people are obsessed with what other people think about them rather than what they actually think themselves.
I wish Hyundai all the best in their endeavours and hope they do extremely well. I am a million miles away from buying a new car but I hope that I will be able to afford one of the N vehicles secondhand at some point in the future.
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