Hyundai is readying an Hyundai i30 N-Line warm hatch for launch this summer. The model will usher in a new trim level that'll rival Ford’s ST-Line and Vauxhall’s recently relaunched GSi.
As the first model to get a proper N performance variant, the i30 will also be the first Hyundai to be offered with this sporty N-Line trim. It will be part of the manufacturer's plans to expand its go-faster N division.
Recent images of an i30 N-Line prototype spied testing indicate that it will have 18in wheels, more aggressive bumpers than standard i30s and red accents, all of which are influenced by the design of the i30 N.
Some of the i30 N’s interior features will also be carried over, although its figure-hugging sports seats don’t appear to be fitted to the test car, suggesting N-Line seats will be more closely related to the regular ones.
Hyundai will give the i30 N-Line a mildly uprated chassis tune. It will fit between the set-up of the regular model and the more focused i30 N. Expect slightly lowered suspension with tweaked damper rates to help improve handling, plus the fitment of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, which are less performance-oriented than the Pirelli P Zeros offered on the i30 N.
Hyundai i30 N long-term review
Like the red-blooded i30 N, the N-Line’s chassis and geometry set-ups have been honed at the Nürburgring. Hyundai's head of testing and high-performance development, Albert Biermann, oversees this track work and has pledged to produce engaging cars, suggesting the i30 N-Line be more playful than the hatchback class average.
Like Ford, Hyundai is expected to eventually offer its new performance-inspired trim in conjunction with a wide range of engines. Currently, the standard i30 is offered with 1.0 and 1.4-litre petrol engines, as well as a 1.6-litre diesel.
Join the debate
Add your comment
This is a good thing in my
This is a good thing in my eyes, on modern roads heavy with traffic and speed restrictions you can barely use all the power in the hot hatches, however you can still have fun in a hatch with sportily tuned suspension irrespective of it's power output, that along with the styling enhancements that often make them the best looking models in the range seem like valid reasons to have an N line etc
When BMW and Mercedes first
When BMW and Mercedes first introduced badge delete option, it was meant for those driving high powered cars to not let other people (employees, neighbours) know. So a debadged 450SE looked like a base 280S. But the opposite happened. Those who bought a 280S had it debaged and wanted the world to think he was driving a 450SE
So these days BMW, Mercedes et al offer M trim, AMG trim etc. without any performance enhancement. Now even Ford and Hyundai are at it as well.
One-way traffic
Manufacturers keep flogging this "kitted out like a hot hatch but fitted with base spec engine" routine, yet none ever go the opposite route of offering a car with very basic spec but the hot hatch performance stuff, which should balance out at roughly the same price, and I am sure would prove a better compromise for most drivers looking for a sporty car but who are operating on a limited budget. It must be embarrassing to be driving a car which looks like a fireball but struggles to get past lorries before the next corner, I'd much rather have the standard, unassuming bodystyle if I had the lower-powered engine.
bowsersheepdog wrote:
The Germans used to offer the higher-powered engines in relatively unassuming 'SE' trim or similar. Looking at the configurators today though this doesn't seem to be the case any more.
My personal favourite though is the Skoda Superb L&K 280. Looks like an airport taxi. Performance isn't far off a Golf R.
These types of cars aren't popular in the image-obsessed UK market unfortunately though.