Hyundai i30 N (2018 – 2024) Review

September 2017

Hyundai i30 N prices announced

The i30 N is priced from £24,995 on the road and features a host of standard equipment in line with the rest of the i30 range, including LED head and tail lights, Smart Adaptive Speed Control, Keyless Entry with Engine Start/Stop Button, 8” Touchscreen Satellite Navigation with Android Auto and Apple Car Play.

The i30 N also offers an array of performance equipment, including 18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, Electronically Controlled Suspension, 17-inch ventilated front brake discs with 16” rear and manually operated hand brake. The performance equipment continues with the i30 N’s Torque Vectoring System and steering wheel mounted Drive Mode Buttons, where the driver can access and customise engine and suspension settings.

Priced from £27,995 on the road, the i30 N Performance offers additional performance-specific equipment, including 19-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tyres of a compound that’s specific to the i30 N, an additional 25PS of power, Electronical Limited Slip Differential and 18-inch ventilated front brake discs with 17-inch rear.

The i30 N Performance also adds interior equipment, including leather and suede seats with electrical operation on the driver’s and passenger’s seats. i30 N Performance also includes an Active Variable Exhaust System which allows the vehicle to reveal its playful character with ‘crackle’ and ‘pop’ sounds from the exhaust when in N or Custom drive mode.

Both i30 N models feature standard 8-inch Touchscreen Satellite Navigation with Android Auto and Apple Car Play as found in other i30 models with the addition of N specific functions such as drive mode display, suspension, engine and transmission set up, lap timer, acceleration timer and performance gauges including engine torque, turbo boost and g force display.

The i30 N models also feature a bespoke instrument cluster with a 4.2” LCD displaying a number of drive mode and vehicle control settings, shift timing lights and a variable LED tachometer, with a maximum engine rev light which adjusts according to engine temperature. The cluster also features soft blue lighting and the Hyundai N logo.

Body performance modifications over the standard i30 bring additions including re-inforced front suspension strut rings, strengthened front sub frame and a central tunnel support bracket. The body modifications continue inside with the addition of a rear stiffness bar across the rear wheel arch lowers. For the more focussed driver, the i30 N Performance also offers a no cost option of cloth seats in place of the standard leather and suede, providing a weight saving of 12.7 kgs.

In outright performance terms, both i30 N and i30 N Performance are electronically limited to 155 miles per hour, with the 0-62mph sprint reached in 6.4 and 6.1 seconds respectively. Both models share a “standard” torque figure of 353Nm between 1500 – 4700 rpm, however the 2.0 turbocharged inline 4 engine can also deliver an additional 25Nm of torque during its over boost function, which is available at all times dependant on exhaust temperature.

The i30 N range is available in six colours - Clean Slate, Polar White, Micron Grey, Phantom Black and Engine Red. Alongside these there is also a new N specific colour of Performance Blue, inspired by Hyundai Motorsports WRC and TCR programmes.

October 2018

Hyundai i30 Fastback N launched

For the UK, it is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 275 PS generating a maximum torque of 353Nm. The car has an overboost function which is activated as soon as maximum torque is achieved. It enables the torque to be further increased up to 378Nm. It accelerates to 62mph in 6.1 seconds.

The interior is available with a colour combination of Black and Red Point. The seats are available in cloth or optionally in a combination of suede and leather. Both combinations feature red stitching. The seat belts and headliner are designed in black. It has a luggage capacity of up to 450 litres and a maximum of 1351 litres with the seats folded flat.

The i30 Fastback N is available in a number of exterior colours such as the mature Shadow Grey, the new model’s exclusive colouring. In addition, the range includes Polar White, Phantom Black, Engine Red, Performance Blue and Micron Grey.

With a width of 1795 mm and a length of 4455 mm, the new car has the same dimensions as the i30 Fastback. The height is 1419 mm, 8 mm lower than the i30 Fastback, further supporting the car’s powerful stance and dynamic appearance.

Drivers choose from five different drive modes by using the dedicated buttons on the steering wheel. The different settings – Eco, Normal, Sport, N and N Custom – change the character of the car, adjusting various driving parameters.

For the UK, all i30 Fastback N’s feature the Performance Package as found in the i30N Performance hatch. It features the for the Electronically Controlled Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD). The Variable Exhaust Valve System is also standard, enabling the driver to select different exhaust sounds depending on the drive mode.

The i30 Fastback N is equipped with floating brake callipers, designed in the distinctive red N look, allowing the driver to lock the brake before cornering as late as possible. It is less sensitive than a fixed calliper system and prevents early brake fade. Air curtains located at the front cool the brakes.

September 2020

Dual-clutch automatic gearbox added to Hyundai i30 N range

For the first time, the new i30 N will be available with N DCT, a wet-type eight-speed dual clutch transmission, which offers paddle shifters and enables three new N performance functions. These include N Grin Shift, N Power Shift and N Track Sense Shift.

N Grin Shift (NGS) increases torque by allowing turbocharger overboost and maximises transmission response for 20 seconds – performance that is sure to bring a grin to the driver’s face. To activate, the driver pushes a button on the steering wheel, and a countdown begins on the cluster showing the remaining seconds for this function. When NGS is activated, the driver will experience a “push feel” when upshifting.

N Power Shift (NPS) engages when the car accelerates with more than 90 percent of throttle, thereby mitigating any reduction in torque by using upshifts to deliver maximum power to the wheels. This gives the driver a responsive feeling of dynamic acceleration when shifting.

Finally, N Track Sense Shift (NTS) automatically recognises when the road conditions are optimal for dynamic driving, for example if it recognises that the car is driving on a racetrack, and activates automatically. By selecting the right gear and shift timing, it provides optimal performance, just like a professional race car driver.

Further updates to the Hyundai i30 N include new 19-inch forged alloy wheels and N Light Seats allow for additional weight reduction, while additional high-performance driving features combined with updated safety and connectivity technology make the new i30 N a truly racetrack-capable everyday sports car.

April 2021

Updated Hyundai i30 N priced from £33,745

Hyundai has announced the pricing and specification of the updated i30 N, which includes a variety of new features to improve both every day and high-performance driving situations.

At the front, a new wide centre grille has been optimised to allow efficient engine cooling and a redesigned front that significantly improves airflow and reduces turbulence into the wheel housing. The updated i30 N hatchback versions feature an updated rear end design, while the rear of the i30 N Fastback remains unchanged. New LED headlamps with V-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs) complete the front end while the rear lamps have also been updated and feature a new LED signature.

With form following function, the i30 N features newly-developed 19-inch forged alloy wheels, designed for minimum unsprang mass and are 14.4 kg lighter than the current 19-inch cast alloy wheels. The lightweight, optimised, five-double-spoke wheels are finished with a dark satin grey matte finish, contrasting with the N-specific red brake callipers with N logo. Tyres continue to be high-performance Pirelli P-Zero tyres, with a specific HN compound developed especially for the i30 N.

Interior changes include the latest 10.25” navigation system, with multi speaker sound, voice control and the latest version of Bluelink®, Hyundai’s state-of-the-art connected car service. This offers a range of new benefits and services for Hyundai customers including Connected Routing, last mile navigation, live parking information, and user profile feature to customise audio settings to individual drivers. The 10.25” screen is also used to display the Performance Driving Data System, which monitors and helps to improve the driver’s track skills, with updated graphics for even more ease of use. This feature saves and displays driving data, including information on PS, torque, turbo boost and also includes a lap and acceleration timer.

The revised i30 N also introduces the option of N Light Sport Seats, a uniquely-designed pair of monoform high-performance sport seats that are 2.2 kg lighter than the standard seats, with pronounced bolsters designed to provide optimal lateral support. N Light Sport Seats are made of premium leather and Alcantara materials and come with Performance Blue stitching and an illuminated N logo on an integrated headrest. The New i30N interior remains focused on connecting the driver with the car, with features such as the signature analogue instrument cluster with its active variable LED red zone and the shift timing indicator. Metal pedals and Performance Blue stitching are joined by new seatbelts with Performance Blue accents.

As well as design and interior updates, the i30 N has also received a number of mechanical changes. Power from the 2.0-litre turbocharged GDi engine is now increased to 280PS and 392 Nm of torque, an additional 5PS and 39Nm respectively. The engine has been developed to provide maximum performance in real life driving conditions, with maximum torque available between 1,950 and 4,600 RPM, with a 0-62 time reduced by 0.2 seconds to 5.9 and a top speed of 155mph.

The six-speed manual transmission is carried over from the previous model, including the praised e-LSD however New i30 N also introduces an eight-speed dual clutch transmission – the N DCT. N DCT is a wet type transmission, with oil used to cool the clutch components, creating less friction and allowing a higher amount of torque to be transferred through the gearbox.

The new N DCT eight-speed dual clutch transmission enables a range of high-performance driving features designed to enhance the driving experience - N Grin Shift, N Power Shift and N Track Sense Shift:

• N Grin Shift (NGS) gives the driver the ability to manually select maximum power from the engine and transmission for 20 seconds. When activated, the N DCT will select the optimum gear for performance whilst increasing exhaust manifold pressure and turbo output. A countdown on the instrument cluster displays the remaining seconds for this function’s duration.
• N Power Shift (NPS) automatically engages when the car accelerates with more than 90% of throttle and works to mitigate any reduction in torque by using the wet DCT clutch plates to maintain engine revolutions during upshifts and deliver maximum power and acceleration to the wheels.
• N Track Sense Shift (NTS) automatically recognises driving style by monitoring sensors covering steering, braking and throttle systems. If NTS detects a sporty driving style, gear shift logic is adjusted to maximise N DCT performance, with upshifts held for longer and downshifts timed to maintain maximum power when the throttle is re-applied.

Following on from the popularity of the Performance specification of the former model, the latest i30 N will offer this one high equipment level trim line in both the Hatchback and Fastback body styles. Priced from £33,745, specification includes the 19” forged alloys, gloss black door mirrors, rear spoiler and privacy glass. Interior highlights include black headlining, N branded door sills, and a leather wrapped and heated steering wheel, gear lever and manual handbrake lever. Specification also includes keyless entry with an engine start stop button and heated drivers and passenger seats include full electric adjustment, driver’s side memory function and extendable seat cushions.

The 10.25” media system includes subscription free Android Auto® and Apple CarPlay® (via USB) and also serves as the guidance screen for the parking system that includes rear camera and front and rear sensors. A wireless charging pad for compatible devices can be found in the front centre console.

New i30 N is available with a choice of 7 exterior finishes, including 2 new colours:

June 2022

Hyundai i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition priced from £38,190

Limited to just 75 examples in the UK, the Hyundai i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition is available in Phantom Black Pearl or Serenity White Pearl paint. It features 19-inch alloy wheels in dark bronze matte finish; black Hyundai badges and special decals. Interior highlights include a unique numbered badge, Alcantara trim and exclusive floor mats.