2018 Hyundai i30 N revealed

Full details of Hyundai’s first ‘N’ car have been released after a long testing period.

The less powerful of the two versions will get 184kW and 353Nm from its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, with Hyundai saying it will hit 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.

With an almost Golf R-rivalling power output of 202kW/353Nm, the Performance package model sports a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds.

Both will carry on to a top speed of 250km/h.

But as with any hot hatch, the i30 N’s straight-line speed shouldn’t be the focus for drivers. Hyundai says it has built the car with a three-part philosophy, one of which being that the car should be a “corner rascal”.

“The i30 N loves corners. The N logo symbolises a chicane, the ultimate part of the track where the i30 N achieves maximum traction, precision and feeling,” Hyundai says.

With adjustable dampers, a limited-slip diff for the Performance Package), and customisable chassis settings, MOTOR found that the i30 N prototype fulfilled that principle with ease.

The other two tenets Hyundai based the car on are the idea of an “everyday sports car”, which is fairly self-explanatory, and to ensure it has “race track capability”.

Thierry Neuville tests Hyundai i30 N

Though the ‘N’ stands for Namyang, the location of the R&D centre where the i30 N was developed, it’s appropriate in that it could also stand for Nurburgring.

Hyundai says each test i30 N has lapped the ‘Ring 420 to 480 times.

On downshifts, the car will automatically blip the throttle to rev-match, a feature which can be toggled, for smoother and faster shifting.

As the list of features we never thought we’d see on a Hyundai grows longer, the i30 N will also have a launch control mode. Hyundai explains how their version works:

“In N drive [or Sport+] mode, with the ESC off and the clutch disengaged, the first gear can be engaged immediately by releasing the clutch pedal within five seconds after full throttle acceleration.”

Yes, the ESC can be switched off completely.

With all of this sounding incredibly promising, there’s only one feature we’ve seen listed that might bother enthusiasts. The Electronic Sound Generator.

While the i30 N sounds rorty enough in its own right, the sound enhancement might make the car sound ‘less real’ to some.

But the Focus RS-like exhaust crackle should make up for it, as well as the car’s striking visuals.

As a departure from the standard or SR-spec i30, 19-inch wheels support at car that’s a subtle 8mm lower, with dual exhausts, a black spoiler, a diffuser and, of course, N badges to distinguish it.

Not only are we looking forward to a first proper drive, but we’re also eager to see it in the metal.