Hyundai has unveiled its first attempt at a hot hatchback that will brush shoulders with the VW Golf R, Ford Focus ST and Honda Civic Type R.
The Hyundai i30 N is the South Korean manufacturer’s first attempt at a sporty model, with a view to giving the brand more emotional appeal. In other words, it wants street cred and the best way to get that is to build a car that appeals to younger petrolheads.
It is built on the same platform as the new i30, but features a 2.0-litre T-GDI turbo direct-injection petrol engine that outputs 250PS (275PS with the performance package) and 353Nm of torque at peak.
Hyundai says it is because it is more concerned about how fun the i30 N is to drive, as opposed to numbers on paper. But the 0-62mph time of 6.4 seconds for the 250PS output and three-tenths faster for the 275PS version puts it in the ballpark of the Peugeot 308 GTi, which is reassuring.
Other model-specific changes include electronic suspension, multiple driving modes, including one that you can tailor to your driving style, an electronic limited slip differential, launch control and a more aggressive design.
Another extra that will appeal to the petrolhead crowd is its variable exhaust valve system, which adjusts the level of noise coming from the back of the car. In case you want an ASBO. You also get a spoiler and rev matching for smoother gear changes.
Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. Pirelli P Zero tyres, meanwhile, provide grip in the corners if you go for the performance package, which also includes 19-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers and larger brake discs.
A release date and price is yet to be confirmed, but we know test drives will take place a little later this year.
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