Hyundai reveals its high-performance i30 N

Hyundai has revealed its new i30 N, the manufacturer’s first high-performance car under its N line-up. Built on the new generation i30, the N has been honed at the Nürburgring to appeal to driving enthusiasts both on road and on the track.

Key considerations during the development of the vehicle were its durability and racetrack performance. Already, the i30 N has undergone 10,000 km of driving on the Nordschleife for durability testing, and has twice taken part in the ADAC 24-hours. Its brakes have been developed to avoid fade with an extra cooling function through the air intakes on the front bumper, while the Electronic Controlled Suspension (ECS) allows the driver to adjust the i30 N to best suit a specific track’s requirements. The body’s high rigidity is increased by the rear stiffness bar behind the rear seats, and the precise six-speed manual transmission has short travel to enhance fast shifting.

The i30 N is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, which is available with two power outputs: the Standard Package engine delivers 250 PS, while the Performance Package boosts the engine’s maximum power to 275 PS. Both versions deliver a maximum torque of 353 Nm and maximum speed of 250 km/h. The 250 PS version accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, while the 275 PS version, aided by launch control hits 100km/h in just 6.1 seconds.

The engine offers direct response with a linear power development through the early responding turbo charger, and is offered with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. The power is transferred independently to the gear train, in order to always be ready to shift to the next gear without any torque interruption.

‘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 Albert Biermann, executive vice president of Hyundai’s 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.’