Toeknee_33 Turbocharged October 10, 2017 Share October 10, 2017 (edited) There has been a series of remarkable reviews on Hyundai's first serious attempt at a hot hatch. It is apparently an even better all-rounder than the exalted Golf GTi. If it is priced correctly, say at $140k at today's COE prices, it may just kick off a revolution in the local car market - the next Beng-favorite - the modern incarnation of the Civic VTi! Taken from AutoCar UK. What is it? The i30N is the first hot hatch from a marque with a full works entry in the World Rally Championship, and therefore something to be taken very seriously indeed. That Hyundai’s aim has been to cram in as much performance for the least possible cost to buyers should also have your ears pricked up. Why now? Well, the brand is on something of a roll, recording an 87% increase in European sales in the past five years. To build on that success and translate rally podiums into profit, it’s now launching a performance arm – N. Enter Albert Biermann, long-time boss of BMW’s performance arm – M. He’s the type of man who expects the ‘ESC off’ button in a car to actually mean ‘off’ (in the i30N, it does) and yet recognises that, in 2017, a five-door hot hatch needs to be usable to be a hit in showrooms. This machine is very much his baby and the German’s presence is a major reason for optimism about its ability to entertain. The fundamental i30N package is nothing out of the ordinary – it’s a five-door hatch with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine driving the front wheels. What is rather unusual is the level of hardware on offer for modest outlay, with the £24,995 base model getting 247bhp, an electronic limited-slip differential and three-way adaptive suspension. An optional Performance Package sees those figures increase to £27,995 and 271bhp. As for pace, the standard car hits 62mph from rest in 6.4sec, while the Performance model shaves 0.3sec from that time. Both will hit 155mph and manage around 40mpg combined, says Hyundai. The five-door bodyshell is the same as that used for the standard i30, with Hyundai claiming it to be already adequately stiff (the N gets underbody strut braces, nevertheless). Wider wheel arches have been grafted on and the N car sits up to 8mm lower. Aggressive bumpers with deep intakes at the front, a red pinstripe on the splitter and a triangular brake light sat within the gloss-black rear spoiler are other identifiers, although perhaps none are as conspicuous as the N’s rather lovely, and unique, signature colour – Performance Blue. There’s also a choice of 18in wheels (shod in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres) or 19in options (bespoke Pirelli P Zero). Components for the car’s upgraded brakes, fettled engine, toughened-up six-speed gearbox, reinforced clutch and sophisticated suspension are all either built in-house or supplied by Korean firms with whom Hyundai has a close relationship. It might have been developed at the Nürburgring, but the i30N’s physical form is refreshingly home-grown, and that’s helped it undercut the competition. The car is also highly configurable, with settings for the e-differential, engine map, exhaust, suspension, steering and ESC. All in all, there are 1944 combinations, although by default they’re grouped into Eco, Normal, Sport and a hardcore N mode. There’s also an N Custom mode, with which you can deploy your favourite settings at the touch of a button. Inside, the i30N gets either a 5.0in display atop the dash or an optional 8.0in unit. You get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as readouts for power, torque, turbo boost pressure, lap times and – sure to go down well with the local constabulary – acceleration. Performance Pack models also get a removable brace that stretches across the boot floor – how about that for intent? What's it like? Extremely impressive. Surprisingly so, given that in just 30 months the project has gone from being an entry on the Hyundai board’s wish list to a product you can buy from dealerships complete with five-year warranty. Perhaps most impressive is that the i30N gets the fundamentals right. The seats are decently low and supportive, and there’s plenty of adjustability in the steering column. That’s a big tick in the box in this segment. In our left-hand-drive test car, the pedals were slightly offset to the right but still well spaced for heel-and-toe shifts (if you’d prefer not to use the admittedly excellent rev-matching function). Factor in the quick, tactile throw of the gearstick and the short-travel clutch and you’d swear Hyundai had been building this kind of car for generations. The i30N also feels robust to its core, although material quality is a league below what you’d get in a Golf GTI. On the move, the 2.0-litre engine is supple enough to take a higher gear and carry eye-widening speed through corners by leaning hard on the superbly damped chassis. Alternatively, drop a cog or two and get familiar with the engine’s 6000rpm sweet spot. Either way, throttle response really is refreshingly crisp for a turbocharged unit, and while there’s no great climax to be had as engine speed rises, there’s plenty of character here – particularly with the off-throttle pops and bangs from the exhaust (as is de rigueur) in N mode. The Performance Package car also features an overboost function that delivers 279lb ft for up to eight seconds at a time. It’s difficult to overstate what a brilliant job Hyundai has done with this car’s chassis. The most severe mode, Sport+, is usable – preferable, even – on most roads, although the Sport setting beneath it quells flares of wheelspin that rougher surfaces precipitate. Normal mode, meanwhile, calms proceedings to the extent that you might forget you’re at the wheel of such a potent hatch. The burly engine and commendably feelsome steering are merely the supporting cast. Qualms? There aren’t many. The i30N is not a car that’ll suck you into an apex regardless of your entry speed in the style of, say, a Vauxhall Corsa VXR packing a Drexler diff. Neither does it change direction with the brusque conviction of certain French rivals; in fact, it can feel quite nose heavy if you’re even a little bit too ambitious on turn-in. The ABS also seems a tad sensitive, although that could be a consequence of the blistered Italian rat-runs. First impressions suggest that trackday regulars – whom Hyundai is attempting to woo with the i30N – might also want for a more mobile rear axle. Biermann admits a Renault Sport Mégane is the sharper tool in this regard, but insists the i30N is the more versatile proposition and better device for learning. He’s probably right, too. As for aesthetics, call them ‘tame’ if you like but Hyundai prefers to use the word ‘timeless’. We’ll give it the benefit of the doubt on this one – there’s a refreshing lack of chintz to the i30N that imbues it with an elegance reminiscent of the Clio 197 and original Focus RS. No bad thing. Should I buy one? The hot hatch market has never been so competitive, but newcomer Hyundai has two things to help it hit the ground running: top-level motorsport experience and the right personnel. So has that worked out? On the evidence of this first drive, you’d have to say it has. Hyundai has pulled off some feat in delivering a car that feels so intuitive and enjoyable – not to mention heroically fast when the moment arises – and yet will happily play shopping cart when necessary. Moreover, at £27,995, even the higher-spec Performance Pack N-car undercuts the likes of the Honda Civic Type R and, remarkably given the kit on offer, the entry-level Golf GTI. That it’s arguably the better all-rounder than either should guarantee it your time and, at the very least, your consideration. Edited November 22, 2018 by BabyBlade ↡ Advertisement 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesc Hypersonic October 10, 2017 Share October 10, 2017 I can see the problem here. It maybe a very good car but the back side looks like a grocery getter and not a hot hatch. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear October 12, 2017 Share October 12, 2017 It's meant to be a sleeper... not an in your face rice boy... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toeknee_33 Turbocharged October 13, 2017 Author Share October 13, 2017 I saw the latest CTR in the flesh at Sepang a couple of weeks ago, and i thought the car was a riot of intersecting lines and angles, definitely very hot looking but also very OTT. I imagined myself as a potential hot hatch buyer, and the CTR styling would be 1 minus point for me. The Golf GTi on the other hand looks quite shopping trolley to me. Understated, matured, classy, staid, not exciting. I think the i30N strikes a happy middle ground between the 2, and I suspect Hyundai very much want to hunt their buyers from these 2 camps. Having said that, styling is very personal; whatever floats your boat is always 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkofwinners 4th Gear October 13, 2017 Share October 13, 2017 That butt of i30n reminds of the prius butt. Just as ugly. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freeder Hypersonic October 13, 2017 Share October 13, 2017 The new Megane RS butt the best looking.. imho.. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genes 6th Gear October 13, 2017 Share October 13, 2017 if its 30-40k cheaper than those 2 aforementioned rivals, i would not mind that butt, or any part of it, at all 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear October 13, 2017 Share October 13, 2017 That butt of i30n reminds of the prius butt. Just as ugly. You've got to be kidding me... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sdf4786k Twincharged October 22, 2017 Share October 22, 2017 I doubt will ever reach our shore. Its a manual. The resistance is the market for such cars. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndhg November 23, 2017 Share November 23, 2017 If I had a car like this, I'd be very happy to 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrylmt Supercharged December 10, 2017 Share December 10, 2017 If I ever had the luxury to get a second car (i.e. for me only) then I would definitely consider this and ONLY the manual. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear December 11, 2017 Share December 11, 2017 If I ever had the luxury to get a second car (i.e. for me only) then I would definitely consider this and ONLY the manual.True true... sigh... this would be possible if we lived overseas with more land mass... ha ha... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrylmt Supercharged December 11, 2017 Share December 11, 2017 True true... sigh... this would be possible if we lived overseas with more land mass... ha ha...Well, we can't have everything... lol Well maybe if we moved to Perth!? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear December 11, 2017 Share December 11, 2017 Well, we can't have everything... lol Well maybe if we moved to Perth!? I know right... won't trade what I have here for any other country right now... what a mess... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbdulrhmmanTalal December 16, 2017 Share December 16, 2017 If I had a car like this, I'd be very happy to 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fungyee77 5th Gear April 26, 2018 Share April 26, 2018 (edited) Interesting results - i30N wins on performance and driver engagement and GTi wins on comfort and electronics. Kind of a topsy turvy world we are entering into... Any news on whether AD is bringing this in ? https://www.caradvice.com.au/640369/2018-hyundai-i30-n-v-volkswagen-golf-gti-5-door-comparison/ Edited April 26, 2018 by Fungyee77 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JX83 3rd Gear May 7, 2018 Share May 7, 2018 Interesting results - i30N wins on performance and driver engagement and GTi wins on comfort and electronics. Kind of a topsy turvy world we are entering into... Any news on whether AD is bringing this in ? https://www.caradvice.com.au/640369/2018-hyundai-i30-n-v-volkswagen-golf-gti-5-door-comparison/ I was curious as I went Hyundai on Sunday to check out other models and out of curiousity i asked the SE and she told me estimated price will be $170k+.. not sure how true is it. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fungyee77 5th Gear May 7, 2018 Share May 7, 2018 I was curious as I went Hyundai on Sunday to check out other models and out of curiousity i asked the SE and she told me estimated price will be $170k+.. not sure how true is it.Ok thanks. Sounds a bit steep at those levels... ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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