While it isn't the fastest hot hatch on the market, Hyundai's little i30 N burst onto the scene with a wild soundtrack, awesome driving dynamics, and a manual transmission back in 2018.
Despite everyone's love for the manual, the lack of a double-clutch transmission was obvious compared to its competitors, so with this facelift, the Korean brand has finally addressed those concerns.
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According to Hyundai, this new i30 N has been enhanced with a focus on performance, with the biggest change being the addition of the optional N DCT gearbox.
Other additions around the place include new lightweight seats, a set of 19-inch wheels, and a plethora of new infotainment and safety tech on the inside.
“Since its market debut in 2017, the Hyundai N original high-performance car has received multiple outstanding reviews and awards. Drivers seeking maximum fun-to-drive on the road as well as on the track, now receive an even wider range of performance and design features, with the new Hyundai i30 N,” said a Hyundai executive.
Styling-wise, the hot hatch has been brought up to date with Hyundai's current design language. Thin angular headlights and a snarling grille now sits at the front, and sleek rear end has replaced the old one.
In terms of performance, this 2021 i30 N uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that makes 206kW and 392Nm of torque with the optional performance pack. This power is sent to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual, or an eight-speed DCT.
With the performance pack installed, this i30 N will hit 100km/h in 5.7-seconds, which is a 0.2-second increase over the out-going model.
To bring the i30 N up to modern safety standards, Hyundai has given it the latest SmartSense tech, which includes everything that you'd expect a car to have in 2020.
Hyundai's new hot hatch is set to go on sale in Europe in early 2021, with the rest of the world following closely behind.
