The first model from Hyundai’s new high-performance ‘N’ sub-brand is already proving a hit with motoring enthusiasts, ahead of its planned arrival in showrooms before the end of this year.
The carmaker has gradually revealed details of the i30 N during the past few months, before finally unveiling complete specifications during July. Now the new model has gone public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, where it proved a star attraction for motoring media and the visiting public.
The voices praising the i30 N included the highly respected UK magazine, Auto Express, which pointed out that the new car offered more power than the traditional hot hatch benchmark, the Volkswagen Golf GTI, and Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper noted the car’s enjoyable exhaust sound and its sporty features. From Spain, MotorZeta praised the aggressive and muscular styling, and Autopista.es judged it as “a very complete sports car… a highly recommended car to use both in the day-to-day routine and for an exciting day at the circuit.”
The positive reaction adds to expectations that the i30 N will succeed in adding new excitement to the Hyundai brand. The carmaker has already sold out of a limited-edition launch model, the 100-car ‘First Edition’, in just two days in July, with buyers putting down a 1,000 euro deposit for the chance to pre-order a piece of future motoring history before it was even available to view or test.
The ‘First Edition’ was made available only through Hyundai Deutschland – the company’s German arm and host country for its European Design Center and Hyundai Motorsport – with an introductory price of 30,900 euros. Along with their car, each customer also receives a product workshop and driver training at the Nürburgring, home of Hyundai’s European Testing Center, and will meet Albert Biermann, Executive Vice President Performance Development and High Performance Vehicle Division at Hyundai Motor Company.
“The high interest in the First Edition confirms our confidence in the i30 N,” said Albert Biermann. “Our first high-performance model under the N line-up has been developed from the ground up to deliver pure driving pleasure in an accessible high-performance package for the road and for the track. It enriches the Hyundai brand with emotional appeal. People will experience a contented grin when driving this performance car.”
The Hyundai i30 N has been developed as a true driver’s car, and will be the first of a range of high-performance versions of Hyundai models. N stands for Hyundai Motor’s Namyang R&D Center in Korea, and the Nürburgring. The ‘N’ logo symbolises a chicane, the ultimate corner where the i30 N has been tested thoroughly and has proven its ability.
The car features segment-leading and state-of-the-art high-performance features, a powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivering up to 275 PS and 353 Nm torque, and sports unique high-performance design elements on the exterior and interior. Depending on the driving mood, drivers can choose from five different modes to change the character of the car by adjusting the parameters of the engine, the dampers, electronic stability control (ESC), electronic limited slip differential (E-LSD), engine sound, steering, and rev-matching.
Deliveries of the Hyundai i30 N will begin in European markets before the end of 2017, with plans for other international markets still being finalized.
“We hope the i30 N, and other cars from the N range, will be offered in our region in the future, although we are not among the markets being included as part of the launch,” said Hyundai’s Head of Operations for Africa and the Middle East, Mike Song. “This is a very exciting product for Hyundai, a car for true enthusiasts, and a bold step forward for our brand. It would definitely bring something special to our showrooms.”