Hyundai will be bringing its first proper hot hatch to Britain in early 2018. The 2018 Hyundai i30 N clearly has the Volkswagen Golf GTI in its sights, so should the hot hatch world be holding its breath?
Well, Hyundai have been touting their upcoming model for quite some time, and top officials have assured us that it has extensive Nurburgring testing under its belt. According to Albert Biermann, Hyundai’s executive vice president of the new high-performance division, has states that it aims to deliver “an accessible high-performance package”.
Power and Performance
The heart of any hot hatch is found under the hood, and the Hyundai i30 N will beat to the tune of a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder capable of harnessing up to a muscular 247bhp and 353Nm of torque. That already leaves the 242bhp Golf GTI Performance a little behind, and the i30 N’s available performance pack pushes output right up to an impressive 271bhp.
That power flows to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission, and Hyundai are claiming that it makes zero to 62 mph in 6.4 seconds for a top speed of 155mph. Adding the performance package should slash that figure to 6.1 seconds, though you’ll still peak at an electronically limited 155mph.
And the vehicle naturally has more to its arsenal than muscle. There’s brains behind the brawn, including launch control, rev-matching technology, five selectable drive modes, and electronically controlled suspension. In place of a Sport Button, we have an N Button, which will set drive dynamics around performance.
The performance package offers larger brakes, electronic limited slip differential, 19-inch wheels, and a variable valve exhaust system.
How Does It Look?
The i30 N uses the trademark front grille alongside an aggressive new front bumper, with sport red inserts added and new air inlets at each corner. The rear apron features a diffuser, twin exhaust, and gloss black spoiler. Once inside, you’ll find sportier upgrades to the dashboard and switchgear, a sport steering wheel, a golf-ball style gearstick, and sport seats, plus contrast blue stitching across the cabin. A five-inch touchscreen offers state-of-the-art connectivity through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
How Much Does It Cost?
Perhaps the most compelling thing about the i30 N is its price. Starting at £24,995, or £27,995 with the performance pack, it undercuts the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Honda Civic Type R, and Ford Focus RS. That fact alone should command attention.