After years of build up and honing in the world of rallying, Hyundai i30 has finally kicked off its long-awaited high-performance N division. The new sub-brand charges out of the gates with the i30 N, an ambitious five-door hatchback that seemingly splits the ground between Honda’s new Civic Si and Civic Type R models.
The i30 N features a high-output version of Hyundai’s familiar 2.0-liter GDI four-cylinder, tuned to deliver up to 276 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque when equipped with an optional performance pack. 0-62 mph is estimated at 6.1 seconds. The less-powerful standard i30 N still delivers 250 hp and the same torque, enough to hit 62 mph in 6.4 seconds.
Like many of its rivals, the i30 N is only available with a six-speed manual and it delivers power exclusively to the front wheels. Front-wheel drive isn’t always a recipe for driving greatness, but like rivals, the i30 N was extensively tuned on Germany’s famed Nürburgring circuit and its development has been overseen by Alfred Biermann, formerly the boss at BMW’s M.
