After a whole lot of waiting, a high-spec model and a starting price of $54,990 have been confirmed for the Hyundai i30 N.
Earlier this month we road tested the N, concluding that pricing would be one of the keys behind ensuring the bubbly, poppy hatchback's domestic success. And, to an end, that new price stacks up well next to the opposition.
The N's closest rivals on paper are the ageing current Ford Focus ST, the new Mini Cooper S JCW 3-door, and the segment daddy Volkswagen Golf GTI. They're priced at $52,840, $54,990, and $56,990 for their respective foundation packages.
And the little Hyundai stacks up well next to that trio. While some other markets get two different versions of the i30 N — including a less powerful 184kW base model — New Zealand will only get the one spec; the 202kW 'Performance Pack' version.
That's more power than the aforementioned Focus ST's 184kW, the Mini's 170kW, and the Golf's 160kW.
And to that end, the i30 N might consider the much quicker Honda Civic Type R and Ford Focus RS as marketplace rivals. They're priced at $59,900 and $72,990 respectively.
Comparing our price to other overseas prices, aspiring N owners in New Zealand do have to front a financial premium. For the same high-spec model, Brits pay £27,995 (NZ$49,431). And our Aussie friends over the ditch get it even better, with an RRP of AU$39,990 (NZ$43,200).
While some might get stifled by ... you know ... the badge, many others have been buying into the i30 N's hype — aided no doubt by critical acclaim across the world's finicky motoring press.
As it always is, the proof of whether that pricing hits the sweet spot will be proven by just how many i30 Ns roll off of showroom floors nationwide. They're already proving to be a sales smash in Europe, with Hyundai confirming in April that numbers are a whopping 150 per cent above expectations.
In the meantime, the i30 N will be on display at Feildays this week, alongside a raft of new vehicles. These include the Genesis G70 and Veloster Turbo that were first spotted last month, as well as the new Santa Fe and plug-in Kona.
