Facelifted hot hatch and fastback will follow the standard i30 in receiving a styling overhaul and new tech.
Facelifted hot hatch and fastback will follow the standard i30 in receiving a styling overhaul and new tech.
Hyundai recently updated its i30 hatchback with a fresh look and a raft of new technology, and new spy shots show that the hot i30 N variant will benefit from this too.
Prototypes of both the standard i30N and the sedan-shaped i30 N Fastback have been spotted testing at the Nürburgring, showing that the Volkswagen Golf GTI rival’s styling will be tweaked to match the standard i30.
Despite heavy camouflage, we can see that the front grille has been reshaped and will likely bear the same 3D pattern as the i30 N-Line, while it’s expected that the headlights, brake lights and bumpers of both models will be reshaped.
The mules also sport larger exhaust outlets and a fresh wheel design, so it’s likely that Hyundai will attempt to further set the hot hatch apart from the car upon which it’s based.
The interior will continue to be largely identical to that of the standard i30, meaning a new 7.0-inch digital instrument display, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and wireless smartphone charging will feature as standard.
A suite of active safety systems including Lane Following Assist, Rear Collision Avoidance Assist and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert will also be carried across.
The current i30 N’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, with 162kW and 353Nm, is likely to be carried over unchanged, given that it remains competitive in light of the competition. That means the facelifted car should accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.1sec, hit a top speed of 250km/h.
The newly refreshed suspension set-up – which aims to make the hot hatch more useable, with softer front springs, larger bumpstops and a slimmer anti-roll bar – will also feature.
Hyundai Australia will introduce the new i30 N here early next year, along with a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Felix Page