Hyundai lands i30 Sedan N from $49k

HYUNDAI continues its N model onslaught with the i30 Sedan N, which will arrive in local showrooms from today. The newcomer is priced from $49,000 plus on-road costs. 

Powered by the same potent 206kW/392Nm 2,0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine found in the recently revised i30 N hatch and all-new Kona N, the sedan is offered with a choice of a six-speed manual or an eight-speed dual-clutch transmissions, the latter as a no-cost option.

Endowed with all the go-faster components of its hatchback sibling (from $43,900 plus ORCs), the i30 Sedan N additionally features a new high flow airbox, Integrated Drive Axle (IDA) system, as well as a brake-prefill function – and that’s on top of a generous standard equipment list. 

The variant will be offered in a single trim level; a sunroof ($2000) is the only optional extra. 

Its chassis, steering, and stability control tuning benefitted from the input of Hyundai Motor Company Australia engineers, led by product planning and development manager Tim Rodgers.

“When we received the initial development vehicle, we were immediately impressed by how polished the chassis tune was. The Hyundai N chassis engineers really know our Australian road conditions… and they know our tastes,” Mr Rodgers said.

“This is the car we’ve done the least local tuning for. Out of the box, it suited our roads extremely well – it only needed some minor tweaks to really make it sparkle. Our tuning was (primarily) focused on the Sport and Normal modes for the road, rather than the racetrack. In N mode, i30 Sedan N uses the global state of tune, which is also the case in other markets it is offered.”

Mr Rodgers said that despite sharing the CN7 architecture with its hatch sibling, the i30 Sedan N was substantially different. The sedan features a 70-mm longer wheelbase, wider Michelin-sourced tyres, as well as other new technologies that improve its ride and handling – and driver feedback.

“Going into this program we knew the i30 Sedan N was going to be the quickest and most capable N we’ve ever had… the CN7 architecture features the latest generation small car platform with significant difference over the hatch, such as the wheelbase geometry and new technology, like the Integrated Drive Axle,” Mr Rodgers explained.

“The reduced unsprung mass of the IDA delivers significant advantages via the 1.7kg weight saving at each corner – while being more rigid and more compact – helping to improve the car’s ride and handling.”

The IDA system has its origins in Hyundai’s World Rally Championship program and sees a reduction in the part count of the i30 Sedan N’s front-end compared with those of other N models. 

The system also allowed engineers to equip the model with a 59 per cent larger wheel bearing with a smaller joint offset. The new arrangement is 55 per cent more rigid than the previous i30 N hatch, which, Mr Rodgers said, benefitted the sedan’s ride quality, steering feel and performance.

“It was a case of leveraging all the new technology and the maturity of the other tech to create something that lives up to i30 Sedan N’s positioning as the ultimate N (model). All the qualities we tune into our other N models are really turned up in the i30 Sedan N – grip levels, response levels, bump absorption, mid-corner grip and mid-corner response too,” he said.

By virtue of being fitted with new 19-inch alloy wheels shod with 245/35 series Michelin Pilot Sport 4S HN tyres, the i30 Sedan N provided very different levels of feedback to the Pirelli P Zero HN rubber offered elsewhere in the N line-up, Mr Rodgers added. 

The tyres, which were specifically developed for the i30 Sedan N, are said to offer increased side wall stiffness and a larger contact patch than on other N models, delivering not only the response and handling required of the sporting model, but also improved ride comfort and acceleration.

“The grip from the new Michelins is excellent. The way you can use the tyre now and the way it communicates into the body is quite different compared with the Pirelli. It ticks the same boxes that all our other N products tick, but with more breadth of capability,” he stated.

“We know (the model’s on-road demeanour) can be extremely aggressive in N mode, but we also aimed for a playful, balanced and ‘chuckable’ driving experience in Sport mode, with an ability to ride extremely pliantly and, therefore, comfortably, in Normal (mode),” Mr Rodgers surmised.

A high-performance brake package (with 355mm front rotors and new Brake Prefill function), an electro-mechanical limited slip differential, as well as an active variable exhaust round out the i30 Sedan N’s mechanical package.

Hyundai says the i30 Sedan N can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds when fitted with the multi-mode wet dual-clutch transmission or 5.8 seconds when equipped with the six-speed manual. 

Roll-on acceleration figures see the DCT-equipped variant blitz the six-speed manual, the 80-120km/h times for the duo are listed at 3.2 and 6.9 seconds respectively.

Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h and the claimed fuel consumption figure for the variants is listed at 8.2 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.

The Hyundai i30 Sedan N is differentiated over the i30 N-Line sedan by N-specific bumpers, grille, black headlight bezels and larger air intakes. 

Nineteen-inch alloy wheels and N-branded brake calipers, unique side sills and black wing-mirror caps impart “aggression and athleticism”, Hyundai says, while the distinctive rear spoiler and tinted, triangular tail-lights complete the look.

Available paint colours include polar white and performance blue (solid), cyber grey, fluid metal and intense blue (metallic; +$495), and phantom black and fiery red (mica; +$495).

Inside, an N-specific instrument cluster and N Performance Drive Display are complemented by N sports seats trimmed in black leather, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shift knob, as well as N metal pedals and footrest.

The model also includes a black headlining and N-logoed metal scuff plates.

Technology highlights include dual 10.25-inch instrument and multimedia screens, sat nav with Track Maps functionality, a 10-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, front seat heating and ventilation, a heated steering-wheel rim, dual-zone climate control, LED ambient lighting, a Qi wireless device charging pad, as well as a BOSE audio system with DAB+ digital radio receiver, Apple CarPlay-, Android Auto- and Bluetooth connectivity.

Finally, the i30 Sedan N also features an Active Sound Design (ASD) system that can “complement the engine induction and exhaust notes with additional synthesized sounds played through the audio speakers”. Hyundai says the system offers selectable sound profiles that “enhance the sporty soundtrack (of the exhaust) or replicate the sound of Hyundai Motorsport greats”.

Safety features for the model include blind-spot collision avoid-assist, forward collision avoid-assist, driver attention warning, lane keep and lane follow assist, rear cross-traffic avoid-assist, tyre pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, as well as a rear-view camera.

Service intervals are set at 12 months or 10,000km (whichever comes first) with the first five intervals priced at $335 each.

The i30 Sedan N is the final model to arrive locally as part of Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA)’s “18 in 18” undertaking, which saw 18 new models arrive in 18 months. In fact, HMCA CEO Jun Heo said he was delighted with the success of the new-model rollout.

“We’re delighted to introduce the i30 Sedan N as the fitting finale for Hyundai’s new model offensive over the past 18 months. (The) i30 Sedan N delivers renowned Hyundai N fun-to-drive and racetrack capability in a striking everyday sports sedan, packed with convenience, safety and driver-focused high-performance technologies,” he added.

2022 Hyundai i30 N pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.