Geneva show: Hyundai teases new i30 N Line

HYUNDAI has teased its updated i30 N Line warm hatch ahead of its public debut at the Geneva motor show next month, showing an aggressive new design that will visually bring it closer in line with its i30 N hot hatch sibling.

The South Korean car-maker has released a pair of darkened teaser images of the N Line’s front end, showing a sharpened fascia with some unmistakably sporty elements.

Hyundai’s cascading grille has been given sharper lines with a wider aperture and a black mesh backing, and is flanked by two large, lower side air intakes made more aggressive by sharp blister lines reaching nearly to the wheelarches.

Another lower grille reflects the design of the upper grille, and is capped by a sharp and pronounced black front splitter that runs along the width of the front fascia and curls up into the side intakes.

Hyundai has also revised the i30’s lighting signature for the N Line, with a new, arrow-shaped daytime running light (DRL) signature that cuts through the otherwise similarly shaped headlights.

It is expected that at least the fresh headlight design will be carried over to other i30 variants.

Little else can be garnered from the N Line teaser, other than it will aport generously sized alloy wheels with a silver outer edge.

The brand says the rear design will also be enhanced, while new 16-, 17-, and 18-inch alloy wheel designs will be on offer.

Inside, a new 10.25-inch infotainment screen will be installed, along with a digital instrument cluster.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) told GoAuto it was certainly interested in securing the updated N Line in Australia, but was unable to confirm any further details at this point.

N Line trim will be offered on the i30 wagon body style for the first time, however given the wagon is not sold in Australia, it is unlikely to come Down Under.

No mechanical details have been shared on the new N Line, and whether it will boost power over the current 150kW/265Nm managed by its 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine.

The N Line grade was introduced to Australia in late 2018 as a replacement for the sporty SR variant, with prices increasing $500 but balanced by the introduction of more sporty kit including a sports steering wheel, 18-inch alloys and front sports seats with carbon-fibre-style bolster trim.

The current-generation i30 range dates back to 2017, with a light update in April 2018.

Through 2019, Hyundai sold 28,378 examples of the i30, a 0.7 per cent year-on-year improvement and enough to place it second on the small car sales ladder behind the Toyota Corolla (30,468).