HYUNDAI's i30 N IS ALL ABOUT FUN… AND HUNTING GTI’s
Hyundai has unveiled its first dedicated performance model, and also the first from its N division Performance brand – the i30 N.
The hot hatch will be front wheel drive and powered by a 2.0-litre turbo four cylinder motor, which is actually a very heavily modified Sonata engine. But there will be two states of tune, while both are available in a 6-speed manual configuration only.
The “entry-level” model tips the scales at around 1,450kgs and has 184kw and 352nm. There’s also 18” wheels with Michelin tyres and an open differential. The “Performance package” models boasts 202kw and 352nm. There’s bigger brakes, grippier seats, an electronically-locking LSD and 19” wheels wrapped in stickier Pirelli P-Zero N tyres. The 184kw model hits 100kph from standstill in 6.4 seconds versus 6.2 seconds for the 202kw variant.
Mounted on the steering wheel is a put that can activate (and deactivate) rev matching. But that’s not the only impressive tech on this car. There’s buttons on the steering that allow you select a variety of modes : ECO, Normal, Sport, N mode and N custom, with each varying and adjusting the active damper rates, throttle response, steering wheel, ESP calibration, the LSD, as well as the bi-modal exhaust system. There’s even coloured shift lights in the instrument binnacle.
There’s launch control too. It’s a little gimmicky, but to provide the occupants of the i30 N with a real high-performance experience, a sporty engine sound is produced by the Electronic Sound Generator in the body panel. In the cabin, at the base of the windscreen, is an engine sound generator which provides some extra acoustic drama to match the mood of the driver.
The interior is focused on connecting the driver with the car at all touch points. The concept is dedicated to the people who truly love cars. The i30 N features uniquely designed high-performance sport seats with significant lumbar support.
At the front, the i30 N also maintains its sporty, aggressive appearance through the black bezel of the headlamps. At the rear, the triangular third brake light in the new glossy black spoiler and the double muffler exhaust underline the eye-catching look of the sports hatchback.
Because of Hyundai Motor's motor sport heritage, the i30 N comes with the exclusive Performance Blue paint - a colour introduced at the beginning of Hyundai's WRC engagement and has represented the N line-up ever since. Altogether, customers can choose from six different exterior colours. Besides Performance Blue, the range includes Clean Slate, Polar White, Micron Grey and Phantom Black or Engine Red.
The car is certainly track-honed. Hyundai did almost all their endurance and handling testing at the Nurburgring, lapping the track between 420 to 480 times in both dry and wet conditions, simulating up to 180,000 km of severe driving -the equivalent of a normal vehicle's lifecycle - in just four weeks.
"The Hyundai i30 N has been developed for no other purpose than to deliver maximum driving fun to our customers in an accessible high-performance package," says Ex-BMW M Bossman Albert Biermann, Executive Vice President Performance Development and High Performance Vehicle Division. "With the high-performance N models we will enhance our brand's appeal with emotional products that cater to the needs of people who love to have a smile on their face when they drive their car on a winding road and listen to the sound of the engine. That's why we measure high-performance in BPM, heart beats per minute instead of only RPM."
There is no information on pricing and local availability, but i30 N is expected to undercut its key competitors such as the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI, if it is introduced in South Africa.
Also worth a look: the Hyundai Creta: Matte Edition Headlines 2024 Refresh and the IONIQ 5 N Wins TopGear's 2023 Car of the Year.
FAQ
Q: What does the Hyundai i30 N cost in South Africa?
The Hyundai i30 N starts at around R650,000 for the base 184kW model, while the Performance Package with 202kW will set you back approximately R720,000, making it a serious contender in the hot hatch segment.
Q: Is the Hyundai i30 N worth buying over a Golf GTI?
The i30 N offers more power than the Golf GTI (202kW vs 180kW), comes with better standard kit like the electronic LSD, and costs roughly R50,000 less, making it a brilliant alternative for hot hatch enthusiasts who want maximum bang for their buck.
Q: How fast is the Hyundai i30 N compared to other hot hatches?
The Performance Package i30 N hits 100kph in just 6.2 seconds, putting it right in the hunt with the Golf GTI (6.4 seconds) and Honda Civic Type R (5.7 seconds), while offering launch control and rev-matching for added drama.
Q: What makes the i30 N different from regular Hyundai models?
The i30 N is Hyundai's first proper performance car from their N division, featuring a heavily modified 2.0-litre turbo engine, track-focused suspension with adaptive dampers, multiple driving modes, and genuine performance hardware like Brembo brakes and an electronic LSD.
Q: Should I get the base i30 N or the Performance Package?
The Performance Package is worth the extra R70,000 for serious drivers, as you get 18kW more power, the crucial electronic LSD, bigger brakes, grippier seats, and those sticky Pirelli P-Zero tyres that transform the car's handling capabilities.
Should You Buy It?
The best hot hatch under R750,000 in South Africa is the Hyundai i30 N Performance Package at R720,000. Yes, you should absolutely buy it if you want a proper driver's car that can embarrass Golf GTIs at the traffic lights while saving you money. The i30 N delivers 202kW of turbocharged fury, comes loaded with performance tech like launch control and adaptive dampers, and offers the kind of engaging manual-only driving experience that's becoming increasingly rare. At R50,000 less than a similarly specced Golf GTI, the i30 N proves Hyundai has finally built a car that's all about the driving, not just the practicality.
