Hyundai will add a third bodystyle to its i30 range when the Fastback launches in early 2018 to rival the Audi A3 SAudi aloon and Mazda Mazda 3 Fastback.
Revealed in Germany alongside the i30N performance model, the Fastback has a lower nose and sleeker roofline than its siblings, mixing the lines of a five-door hatch with the rear of a coupé. It sits 5mm lower than the hatch, with a slimmer glassline helping to contribute to the car’s 30mm lower height. Hyundai claims this enhances its aerodynamics as well as lowering the car’s centre of gravity. It measures 115mm longer than the hatch.
Hyundai i30 N revealed at Frankfurt Motor Show
The Fastback gets bespoke suspension settings with spring rates that are 15% stiffer to improve agility and on road handling. As such, the car will be the sportiest variant of the regular i30 range.
It’ll come with a choice of two turbocharged petrol engines from the i30 range, the 1.0-litre T-GDI three-cylinder with 118bhp, or the 1.4-litre T-GDI four-cylinder with 138bhp. The former comes exclusively with a six-speed manual, but the larger unit can be specified with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
The diesel options will be a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder in two states of tune: 108bhp and 134bhp. Both get the option of the manual or dual-clutch gearboxes.
Hyundai will offer the same list of technology with the Fastback as the rest of the i30 range, with a 5.0in or 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system with satnav and smartphone connectivity part of the options list. The car will also get advanced cruise control and additional driver assist programmes including ear cross traffic alert.
Prices are yet to be confirmed, but expect the Fastback to sit between the i30 hatch and i30 Tourer in the range, meaning it could cost from about £17,000.
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When Mazda and MB had a
When Mazda and MB had a romantic fling, 8 months later this was born. I'm guessing MB was the receiving end.
Actually quite like this,
Actually quite like this, could replace the Octavia in a few years time...
Wish more manufacturers sold fastback hatches, though with this and the new Kia Stinger there seems a small resurgence.
About 15 years ago you could get Accords, Avensis, Laguna, C5, Mazda 6 etc in the bodystyle, practical yet avoids the 'tortoise' Focus shape look.
Mercedes cues
The rear of this looks strikingly like the mercedes C class coupe. A cohesive effort, but not sure why you need the hatchback and the fastback. Looks like it will be sold as the 'coupe' version of the I30