When Hyundai first announced the i30 N hot hatch, you’d be forgiven for your skepticism. Here was a company best known as a budget brand trying to take on the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Honda Civic Type R. However, when we all heard Albert Biermann of BMW M car fame was involved, it all got very serious. The i30 N launched to great acclaim, and now the recipe has been enhanced.
The Korean hatch acquitted itself well against established rivals, but time stands still for no performance car. A series of revisions aims to keep the model at the sharp end of a very competitive marketplace.
A series of visual tweaks have been made inline with alterations to the standard i30. More athletic bumpers present a dynamic front facia that incorporates more substantial intakes. N fans will also spot a switch to more distinctive lights that host a new ‘V’ lighting signature. Light changes have been made to the interior, with new optional N Light Seats saving 2.2kg each.
Both the i30 N and Fastback retain their 2.0-litre turbocharged engines. Like before, the regular model pump out 247bhp, while the more potent Performance variant clocks 276bhp. The standard car was dropped from the UK lineup due to most customers wanting the fastest car available. The keen eyed amongst you will have noted that the Performance car features 5bhp more than before and a total of 289lb ft. Its 0-62mph sprint is now down to 5.9 seconds.
The big news comes in the form of a DCT automatic gearbox option that will be offered alongside the purist’s manual transmission. Equipped with the eight-speed auto, the car can overboost its turbo for a 20 second boost via a wheel-mounted button – it’s cheekily dubbed N Grin mode. The car retains its N Custom mode that allows the driver to create a bespoke setup for engine performance, transmission response, exhaust setting and suspension stiffness.
Pricing for the new car has yet to be officially announced.
Keyword: Updated Hyundai i30 N launched with automatic option