April 20, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Korea’s largest carmaker  Hyundai Motor pulled the wraps off its high-performance hatch i30 N on July 13 in Europe (local time), with plans to start sales across the continent by year-end. 

The new i30 N, first model from Hyundai’s new N performance brand, was unveiled to the media in Dusseldorf, Germany. 

Hyundai Motor i30 N

The i30 N, Hyundai’s take on performance models VW Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST, will focus primarily on Europe first, according to the carmaker. It will likely make its official debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

“The Hyundai i30 N has been developed for no other purpose than to deliver maximum driving fun to customers in an accessible high-performance package,” Hyundai’s N division head Albert Biermann was quoted as saying. 

“With the high-performance N models we will enhance our brand’s appeal with emotional products that cater to the needs of people who love to have a smile on their face when they drive their car.” 

At the moment, the carmaker hasn’t decided on bringing the i30 N to Korea, which will be produced at its Czech Republic factory starting September. 

Interior of i30 N

“For the Korean market, we are planning to launch the N-badged cars but the time frame is yet undecided,” a Hyundai spokesperson told The Investor. “The N brand will most likely be incorporated into other existing vehicles, with enhanced performance.” 

Market watchers speculate the upcoming Veloster three-door hatchback will be the first car to debut under the N brand in the local market, sometime next year. 

The i30 N is powered by a 2.0-liter gasoline turbo engine. The standard model heats up to 246 horse power with a 36 kilogram-force meters torque, while the optional performance package turns up to 271 horsepower. Its 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 6.1 seconds, faster than the VW Golf GTI. 

The carmaker also launched the i30 Fastback at the same event in Germany. Joining the i30 family, the new-five-door coupe is available in two petrol engines -- 1.4-liter and 1.0-liter turbo. A 1.6-liter diesel will be offered in the future. 

The Korean brand has high hopes that the latest i30 variants and the new N brand will make Hyundai the No. 1 Asian carmaker in Europe by 2021.

Kicking off with the i30N, the carmaker plans to launch new performance cars and speed up expanding the N brand.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)