Hyundai i30N 2021, the hot hatchback becomes more powerful

The restyling of the sportiest version of Hyundai’s compact is already taking shape at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech, the Korean brand’s high-capacity factory in the Czech Republic. It will produce both the hatchback and Fastback versions alongside its siblings, the new Tucson and the new Kona Electric.

Hyundai will have to face the renewed i30N against heavyweights such as the new Volkswagen Golf GTI 8, the Ford Focus ST, the Cupra León, the Renault Megane RS and the BMW 128 Ti.

Understated exterior

The new Hyundai i30N features new design elements, though without standing out too much, since let’s not forget that this new i30N is a restyle of the model we already knew.

The design improvements have had one clear objective: to enhance the car’s dynamic performance. To that end, they have fitted a new bumper with a grille slightly longer and sharper than its predecessor’s, and new LED headlights with renewed daytime running lights in a V shape and black bezels.

At the rear, a new gloss-black spoiler has been added, keeping the distinctive triangular brake light that characterised this model. The exhausts have also been renewed, now larger and rounder, integrated into a new diffuser.

The side profile of the new Hyundai i30N remains practically unchanged, except for the new 19-inch forged alloy wheels the Korean brand has added to its range, fitted with Pirelli P Zero tyres specifically tuned for the model.

The new forged wheels included in the Performance Pack of Hyundai save the assembly 14.4 kg compared with the 19-inch wheels fitted to the previous version, contributing to better dynamic behaviour.

Interior of the new i30N

The new interior is headlined by the new N Light seats, upholstered in leather and Alcantara with blue stitching, bearing the “N” of the name on the headrests and lateral support bolsters to help maintain posture during sportier driving.

The instrument panel shows oil temperature, torque and turbo boost at a glance. The screen has been upgraded to 10.25 inches with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Safety systems have also improved thanks to the new driver-assistance system Hyundai SmartSense. The new i30N features autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist.

More power and a new dual-clutch automatic gearbox

The new Hyundai i30N will use the well-known 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine. As with the previous version, there are two power options. The first delivers 250 CV and 353 Nm of torque. The other, more powerful option produces 280 CV, 5 more than the most powerful version we knew, and 392 Nm of torque, 39 more than the previous version.

The standard gearbox is a six-speed manual, but Hyundai has added a new dual-clutch automatic, the N DCT, exclusively for the 280 CV version. With this automatic gearbox, the new i30N can reach 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds using the Launch Control system.

The new i30N will feature front-wheel drive like its predecessor, and its suspension and steering have been recalibrated to improve the car’s dynamic behaviour, making it more precise.

As for price, Hyundai has not yet revealed the price of the new 2021 i30N, although the current price of the predecessor of the new 275 CV model starts from

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackHyundai i3012 versions · from 29,250 €