Hyundai splits the pack with $39,990 i30 N

HYUNDAI will only offer the most powerful version of its i30 N hot hatch in Australia with the performance-honed model hitting showrooms soon from $39,990 before on-road costs.

The first model from Hyundai’s go-fast N division is on sale now, with deliveries starting in April, and the company is urging anyone who wants to snap up an example from the initial allocation of 300 vehicles to fill out an online form or contact their local Hyundai dealer.

Overseas, the front-wheel-drive i30 N will be offered in two states of tune from the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine – 184kW/353Nm and 202kW/353Nm – but only the latter ‘Performance’ variant will be offered Down Under, reflecting Australian consumers’ preference for the highest performing models.

The price of the six-speed manual-only i30 N puts it right in the middle of its direct rivals, which include the 184kW/360Nm Ford Focus ST from $38,990, the 169kW/350Nm Volkswagen Golf GTI at $41,490 and the 197kW/350Nm Subaru WRX at $39,240, while Peugeot’s 200kW/330Nm 308 GTi 270 is $45,990.

It easily undercuts a number of more powerful hot hatch competitors for price, such as the 257kW/440Nm Focus RS ($50,990), Honda’s 228kW/400Nm Civic Type R ($50,990) and the all-wheel-drive 213kW/380 Golf R ($52,990).

Renault is yet to reveal pricing for its new-gen 205kW/390Nm Megane RS.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia chief executive officer JW Lee said the overall i30 N package would help it stand out in the growing hot hatch segment.

“We’re confident in the i30 N,” he said. “We’ve set the MLP at $39,990 to ensure there are no excuses! We encourage every genuine enthusiast in the hot hatch market to drive it and make their mind up based on the product’s merits.

“Given the way i30 N looks, sounds and drives, we believe it will make a compelling case against its strongest competitors, regardless of price.”Hyundai will offer two options packs – a Luxury Pack for $3000 and a Luxury Pack with a panoramic sunroof for $5000 – while metallic/mica paint is the only other option at $495.

Standard gear on the i30 N includes an N bodykit, 19-inch alloy wheels, Pirelli P-Zero HN tyres, active variable exhaust, electronic controlled suspension, electronic sound generator, electro-mechanical LSD, launch control, N Drive Mode System, N race computer, an overboost function, performance brake package, a rear stiffness bar and a rev matching function.

Inside the i30 N has alloy sports pedals, black headlining, N dark metal painted trim inserts, blue stitching, sports front seats, a leather appointed steering wheel, a 4.2-inch TFT colour ‘supervision’ cluster, an 8.0-inch satellite navigation system, DAB+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, a driver’s seat four-way power lumbar, tilt and reach steering column and a luggage power outlet.

Safety wise it gains Hyundai’s SmartSense active safety suite that includes ‘city’ autonomous emergency braking, a driver fatigue warning, forward collision warning and a lane keeping assist system.

On top of that it has seven airbags, dusk-sensing headlights, a tyre pressure monitor, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, LED daytime running lights, headlights and tail-lights and a temporary space saver spare wheel.

The $3000 luxury pack adds front parking sensors, power folding exterior mirrors, LED courtesy and puddle lights, rain-sensing wipers, tinted windows, driver’s seat memory, 12-way power front seats, sport front seats with suede inserts and leather bolsters, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front seats and steering wheel, keyless entry and start, a wireless charging pad and a luggage net.

The $5000 pack includes all of the above and the panoramic glass roof.

Hyundai is expected to offer the yet-to-be-seen fastback version of the i30N in Australia further down the track, but the all-new Veloster N is unlikely for now as it is only being produced in left-hand-drive configuration.