Hyundai uncovers i30 N-Line sedan

FOUR months after showing off a camouflaged development ‘mule’ in testing, Hyundai has officially uncovered its sporty i30 N-Line sedan that will stand as the flagship of the new-generation compact four-door range from launch in the fourth quarter of this year. 

Known in overseas markets as the Elantra N-Line, the warmed-up sedan – which was presented to Australian media, including GoAuto, in Sydney recently ahead of its unveiling – will sit alongside the already established i30 N-Line hatch and use the same 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as its five-door stablemate.

As with the hatch, the sedan will drive the front wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission or optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

This will take the N-Line sedan up a notch compared to lower-tier variants, which will rely on a revised 120kW/203Nm 2.0-litre normally aspirated four-cylinder engine that will also slot into equivalent versions of the forthcoming facelifted i30 hatch. 

Further bolstering its street cred, the N-Line sedan will ride on sports-oriented suspension – specifically tuned for Australian roads – to up the handling stakes, while bigger front brakes have been fitted to match the extra oomph under the bonnet.

In keeping with the trend first started by its hatchback stablemate, the i30 N-Line sedan brandishes more imposing styling than other mainstream variants, with the bulk of the menace coming from a reworked front bumper, new black mesh grille and aggressive two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels.

Not only does the new front bumper add some extra visual flare, but Hyundai says the “arrow-shaped air curtains” also help to improve “aerodynamic performance and engine cooling”.

Down the flanks of the car we find subtly enhanced side skirts while at the rear there is an integrated boot spoiler, twin exhaust tips and an N-Line rear diffuser.

The cabin has a similarly sporty flavour with N sport seats, a perforated leather-wrapped N steering wheel with metallic spokes and N badging, alloy pedals and a gear selector featuring both metal accents and leather inserts.

The automatic version, meanwhile, also scores paddle shifters while both the manual and auto are fitted with a ‘Drive Mode Selector’ system.

Australian pricing and specification is yet to be confirmed, however Hyundai has revealed the active safety features list to be an extensive one that includes forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, high-beam assist, driver attention warning and blind-spot collision avoidance assist with rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist. 

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto has also been confirmed.

Expect pricing for the N-Line sedan to start from at least $27,000 plus on-road costs. 

While the new N-Line takes the Elantra-based i30 sedan up a notch, it does not suggest that a full-fat high-performance i30 N sedan is in the works, despite an Elantra N having long been rumoured.

Regardless of the rumour status, however, Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) has told GoAuto it would be “very interested in such a car, assuming we can get it in right-hand drive”. 

“The more N cars we can get, the better!” a spokesperson said.

Next in line to receive the N-Line treatment will be the Sonata mid-sized sedan which is tipped launch soon after i30 sedan range which is expected in November.

So far this year ending July, HMCA has sold 924 examples of the current-generation Elantra, accounting for just 1.9 per cent of the sub-$40,000 small-car segment.