Latest on Volkswagen Golf GTI-rivalling Hyundai i30 N facelift.
Latest on Volkswagen Golf GTI-rivalling Hyundai i30 N facelift.
The facelifted Hyundai i30 N has been teased ahead of its official launch.
It will land in Australia next year with the option for a new eight-speed dual-clutch auto; read our exclusive first drive review here.
The new model will follow the updated standard Hyundai i30 into the showrooms later this year, sporting a few cosmetic tweaks and a new automatic gearbox – both of which promise to keep the hot hatchback competitive with the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI.
These teaser images provided our first official look at the revised Hyundai i30 N’s styling. Updates include new front and rear bumpers, revised LED headlamps, tweaked tail lights, fresh V-shaped daytime running lights and a larger bore twin-exit exhaust system. The overhaul is completed with a new set of lightweight 19-inch forged alloy wheels.
Inside, the updated Hyundai i30 N will feature a sports steering wheel, an aluminium pedal box and a pair of leather-trimmed bucket seats, which can be seen through the windows of this latest test mule. Like the standard model, buyers will also get Hyundai’s improved 10.25-inch infotainment system and a new digital instrument cluster.
Like the outgoing model, the updated i30 N will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. We’re not expecting any increase in power over the outgoing model’s 202kW and 378Nm of torque, though.
As such, the car’s performance figures will remain unchanged. It’s 0–100km/h time should still be 6.1 seconds and it’s top speed will still be electronically limited to 250km/h.
The biggest change to the drivetrain will be the introduction of a new, eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox – meaning the i30 N will have all the bases covered in its rivalry with the new Golf GTI. Fret not though, driving purists, as Hyundai will continue to offer the outgoing model’s six-speed manual gearbox as standard.
Both gearboxes will be bolted to the chassis using the same stiffer bushings found on the current, updated version of the hot hatchback – and Hyundai’s recent suite of chassis tweaks for the MY20 i30 N should also be transferred wholesale.
Hyundai’s revisions for the model year change included new front wishbones and lower bump stops, slightly slimmer anti-roll bars and reduced spring rates – along with a recalibrated traction control system to account for the car’s change in behaviour.
Luke Wilkninson