This special version of Hyundai’s larger hot hatch gets bronze accents, with only 75 coming to the UK
- 800 examples to be built – 75 for UK
- Bronze and red accents
- Unique plaque with build number
A new special edition of the Hyundai i30 N hot hatch has been announced. Dubbed the Hyundai i30 N Drive-N, this new model will feature an exclusive livery with distinctive bronze accents joining the i30 N’s racy red trim.
Only 75 of the planned 800 examples of the Drive-N will be allocated to the UK car market; 545 will be reserved for the remainder of Europe and a further 180 for Australia. Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but we expect the special edition to cost slightly more than the standard i30 N when it goes on sale later this year. The i30 N currently starts at a whisker over £34,000.
To distinguish the Drive-N model from the regular i30 N, the limited-run car will feature a model-specific bronze and red graphic along the door panel. The Drive-N will also adopt a matching set of bronze 19-inch alloy wheels and will be available in two colours: Phantom Black Pearl and the new Serenity White Pearl.
Further design tweaks continue on the inside where the Drive-N gets sporty Alcantara upholstery; this extends onto the steering wheel, the gear lever, the handbrake and the armrest. The black Alcantara is contrasted by red stitching and red drive select buttons on the steering wheel. The Drive-N also boasts red seat belts, and just like the regular i30 N, the ‘N’ logo on the headrests illuminates.
Each example of the i30 N Drive-N will be fitted with a plaque which states the car’s build number. Several Drive-N badges mounted around the car will also further enhance the exclusivity of this model, with each containing the coordinates for Hyundai’s high-performance test centre at the Nurburgring race track, Germany.
What does this mean for car buyers?
The Hyundai i30 N is one of our favourite hot hatchbacks, and the Drive-N model is likely to be a great collector’s item for those lucky enough to get hold of one. While there are no real performance upgrades over the standard i30 N, many are sure to appreciate the design tweaks and the exclusivity.
Hyundai has been on a roll recently when it comes to affordable performance cars; the original i30 N was a seriously impressive first attempt at a hot hatch and solidified its place as a strong rival to the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The smaller Hyundai i20 N is equally as masterful, with the fizzy supermini earning our Hot Hatch of the Year award for 2022.
Keyword: New Hyundai i30 N Drive-N limited edition arrives