Hyundai continues i30 N development

AFTER extreme weather testing was carried out earlier this year in Sweden and Australia, Hyundai is edging closer to the release of its performance-orientated i30 N as the hot hatch undergoes adaptive suspension and drive mode tuning on the United Kingdom’s public roads.

With power sent exclusively to the front axle, the i30 N will employ an electronically controlled limited-slip differential to send the torque to the wheel with the most traction, while drivers will also be able to select between varying driving modes which change engine, suspension, steering and throttle characteristics.

While extensive testing has already been conducted on the infamous Nurburgring race circuit, Hyundai Motor Company executive vice president and head of vehicle test and high performance development Albert Biermann said the UK road testing is to ensure the i30 N retains its driveability on public streets.

“We are getting closer and closer to the final development stage of the i30 N,” the former BMW M division chief engineer said.

“The road testing serves to check if the driving performance of our first Hyundai N high performance car can meet our futures customers’ requirements. We have to make sure that one these challenging UK roads the driving performance is also well suited to everyday use.”

Set to launch in Australia before year’s end, the i30 N will utilise a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two states of tune – a base 184kW version and a headline-stealing 202kW flagship.

A six-speed manual will be the only shifter available at launch, but an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is likely to be made available in the near future.

Denoting Hyundai’s first N performance model and the flagship of the i30 range will be a chunky sports bodykit, 19-inch alloy wheels, sports steering wheel and seats, as well as an active exhaust and enhanced chassis.

The i30 N will compete directly against other front-drive hot hatch fare including the Ford Focus ST, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Peugeot 308 GTI, Mini John Cooper Works hatch and is expected to arrive with a circa-$40,000 pricetag which also positions it against the all-wheel-drive Subaru WRX.

Towards the end of the month, two near-production i30 N hatchbacks will participate in the ADAC Zurich 24-hour race at the infamous Nurburgring circuit to further hone its performance potential.