RE: Hyundai i30 N track pack testing

RE: Hyundai i30 N track pack testing

Friday 5th July 2019

Hyundai i30 N track pack testing

Hyundai N takes a leaf out of Renault Sport's book, with a stripped out, circuit honed hot hatch...



Back when the Hyundai i30 N was launched towards the end of 2017, a range of 'N Customised' tuning parts was also introduced in certain markets. Comprised of bits like OZ Racing Hyper GT Wheels, Pirelli Trofeo R tyres, Pagid brake pads, Recaro seats, a datalogger and even wheel nuts lighter than standard, it displayed Hyundai's intent in further sharpening up the i30 N. That was followed by the N Option car of last year, and now we have this mysterious mule of an i30 spotted near the Nurburgring.

Albert Biermann has already hinted at a lighter special edition of the N, which we'd assume is this car. Immediately obvious are the new wheels (most likely lighter than standard), more pronounced skirts and spoilers (for additional aero) and what looks like a slightly lower ride height.


It could be what's beneath the camo, however, that's of most interest. In an effort to shed as much weight as possible - this track special said to be a lot more about reduced kilos than increased horsepower - it's been suggested that carbon panels could well be used, including for the bonnet and roof. Expect, furthermore, an interior with racier seats and maybe a bit less equipment in the quest to jettison kilos. That the seats are covered would imply there's something there Hyundai would rather we don't see for the moment...

It's all rather encouraging, the potential here for an even quicker, more agile variant of an already pretty exciting hot hatch. If the standard car's exceptional value, as well as its warranty that includes track use, is retained, then Hyundai could well be on to something special. We look forward to hearing more; current conjecture suggests a reveal towards the end of the year as a 2020 model. More news as it arrives...




Images: S. Baldauf/S.B. Median

Author
Discussion

Hitch

Original Poster:

6,107 posts

195 months

Friday 5th July 2019
quotequote all
This could be epic!

philmots

4,632 posts

261 months

Friday 5th July 2019
quotequote all
Love this too. Special car. Would be great if introduced a dsg.

Keith ctr

233 posts

175 months

Friday 5th July 2019
quotequote all
Sounds promising, weight saving is far more effective than giving it more power especially in the unsprung department! Should make a noticeable difference on the handling front.

Limpet

6,330 posts

162 months

Friday 5th July 2019
quotequote all
Having driven the standard N Performance model, I would imagine a lighter version would be a hell of a car. It's pretty good as it is.

The standard model is a good base to work from.

wab172uk

2,005 posts

228 months

Friday 5th July 2019
quotequote all
Get rid of all the configurable cr@p for the steering, engine, suspension etc, and just make the damn thing sporty from the off.

Then go & do it to the standard i30-N

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

235 months

Friday 5th July 2019
quotequote all
I thought the standard car was pretty dull. This can't be anything other than an improvement.

RSTurboPaul

10,445 posts

259 months

Saturday 6th July 2019
quotequote all
philmots said:
Love this too. Special car. Would be great if introduced a dsg.
I thought drivers' cars were supposed to be better with a manual? (where better = more involving)

Jon_S_Rally

3,424 posts

89 months

Saturday 6th July 2019
quotequote all
Exciting this.

Recently drove the standard car and liked it a lot. A few more tweaks could make it even better.

gutbobs

76 posts

175 months

Saturday 6th July 2019
quotequote all
Watch Pistonheads explode, if it's launched with no back seat

The Vambo

6,664 posts

142 months

Saturday 6th July 2019
quotequote all
wab172uk said:
Get rid of all the configurable cr@p for the steering, engine, suspension etc, and just make the damn thing sporty from the off.

Then go & do it to the standard i30-N
I disagree, the adjustable dampers in my Scirocco improved it no end, rock-solid body control in sport and softer in comfort.

arkenphel

484 posts

206 months

Saturday 6th July 2019
quotequote all
philmots said:
Love this too. Special car. Would be great if introduced a dsg.
Definitely, absolutely disagree with dog for a fun car.
Dsg is faster, yes, but 100% not more fun.

I have a DCT M3 and it is quite dull unless I am on the Ring. I've had more fun in the last 3 days driving a manual Mercedes Vito van. It's a slow, crap handling piece of lard and the manual gearbox is vague and baulky, but it's much more involving than the F80.

Court_S

13,016 posts

178 months

Saturday 6th July 2019
quotequote all
gutbobs said:
Watch Pistonheads explode, if it's launched with no back seat
Especially if the rear doors are left in place too...

Court_S

13,016 posts

178 months

Saturday 6th July 2019
quotequote all
arkenphel said:
Definitely, absolutely disagree with dog for a fun car.
Dsg is faster, yes, but 100% not more fun.

I have a DCT M3 and it is quite dull unless I am on the Ring. I've had more fun in the last 3 days driving a manual Mercedes Vito van. It's a slow, crap handling piece of lard and the manual gearbox is vague and baulky, but it's much more involving than the F80.
I really don’t miss changing gear now I’ve got an auto. I think part of the problem with stuff like the M3 is that you need to be going really bloody fast to get a buzz from them and that’s hard on public roads as each version gets faster and faster.

Moulder

1,466 posts

213 months

Saturday 6th July 2019
quotequote all
Court_S said:
gutbobs said:
Watch Pistonheads explode, if it's launched with no back seat
Especially if the rear doors are left in place too...
Cool, a shooting brake!!

Pjhuk33

53 posts

102 months

Saturday 6th July 2019
quotequote all
I took the I30N out last week and hated it. Poor control over bumps in the road. Cupra R was a much better car.
Brought a 140 i. Which was lovely...

Chestrockwell

2,630 posts

158 months

Sunday 7th July 2019
quotequote all


Goodnight

J4CKO

41,676 posts

201 months

Sunday 7th July 2019
quotequote all
The Vambo said:
wab172uk said:
Get rid of all the configurable cr@p for the steering, engine, suspension etc, and just make the damn thing sporty from the off.

Then go & do it to the standard i30-N
I disagree, the adjustable dampers in my Scirocco improved it no end, rock-solid body control in sport and softer in comfort.
Yes, I dont see why anyone would want a car to be hard work, stiff, noisy and edgy all the time if, at the flick of a button you can change the steering, dampers, exhaust and throttle/engine mapping. Its hardly difficult to operate.

There does seem to be a competition to be the most puritanical purist on PH.

AJB88

12,472 posts

172 months

Sunday 7th July 2019
quotequote all
I went to Bedford Autodrome with Hyundai UK for a i30N performance day, cars was epic (I had just sold my 420ps Cupra) as a standard car.

A full on limited edition track focused edition (think R26R) would be a winner im my opinion.

GC8

19,910 posts

191 months

Sunday 7th July 2019
quotequote all
Extra doors weigh a lot...

stevemcs

8,687 posts

94 months

Sunday 7th July 2019
quotequote all
GC8 said:
Extra doors weigh a lot...
welding them up would weight even more ..