FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Hyundai i30 Fastback

Hyundai showed three models at the Frankfurt motor show, the i30 N hatch, i30 Fastback and Kona SUV. Despite a lack of concept car metal at its stand, these three cars are the vehicles that will push Hyundai into a new era, one governed by style and, now, power.

We've seen the Hyundai i30 Fastback before but never in the flesh and although we will get a range-topping version of the classy new lift-back body style, the regular models that won't cost $50,000 still appear to be off limits.

Bill Thomas, Hyundai Australia's PR General Manager told motoring.com.au the i30 Fastback is still "Not likely at all for Australia."

The reason? Geography and currency.

"It is built exclusively in Czech Republic. Exchange rate pressures mean that the business case for it is tough, given we can source i30 hatch from South Korea," said Thomas.

But the silver lining is that Aussie customers should be able to choose from a number of red-hot i30 N body types, including the hatch and fastback. These models will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine banging out either 184 or 202kW, depending on the engine tune.

"The i30 N Fastback is a different story, the N version of the Fastback you've seen at Frankfurt. Our hands are in the air for that one and we hope to sell it Down Under."

The cars will accelerate from 0-100km/h as quickly as 6.1 seconds and will be feature-packed with all the latest driver aids and luxury upholstery.

It's not clear if the i30 N Fastback will get anything special over and above the hatch, apart from its more mature body style, but the six-speed manual and eight-speed dual clutch transmission will likely be offered.

The Renault Megane RS may have been the hot hatch du jour at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, but Hyundai has made big strides with the i30 N, just as Kia has reshaped its image with the Stinger GT. Indeed, the Korean brands appear to be going from strength to strength, perhaps the reason they felt no need to roll out an eye-popping concept car in Frankfurt.