Hot Hyundai i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition coming to Oz

The Hyundai i30 N range will be bolstered later this year by the arrival of the limited-run 2022 Hyundai i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition hot hatch, of which just 180 units have been confirmed for Australia.

Based on the 2021 Hyundai i30 N Premium and limited to a global production run of 800 vehicles, the i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition will arrive in the final quarter of the year brandishing a heap of bespoke cosmetic and interior touches.

The special-edition hot hatch, available exclusively in ‘Serenity White Pearl’ or ‘Phantom Black Pearl’, will be identified by their dark bronze 19-inch forged alloy wheels, bronze, red and black decals, dedicated ‘Drive-N’ wing badges and black Hyundai logos.

As an extra special touch, each of the two ‘Drive-N’ badges contain the GPS co-ordinates of Hyundai’s Nurburgring test facility.

Inside the cabin you’ll find all of the usual goodies found within an i30 N Premium including the N Light seats, 10.25-inch infotainment touch-screen, panoramic sunroof, heated seats and steering wheel, wireless charging pad and auto-dimming rear-view mirror, but the steering wheel rim, gear lever, armrest and handbrake will all now be upholstered in Alcantara as opposed to leather.

Other unique touches include red trim elements and seatbelts, while a bronze vehicle-specific number badge mounted beneath the climate controls depicts each car’s position within the 800-unit global production run.

At a local level, Hyundai Australia has confirmed a 30:70 split in availability between the manual and dual-clutch automatic transmission version and a similar split between the black and white body colours.

No changes have been made under the skin or under the bonnet of the Drive-N Limited Edition, meaning peak power and torque are still rated at 206kW/392Nm.

“This unique edition of the 2021 i30 N delivers the same high-performance driving experience with a distinctive exterior and interior design,” a local brand spokesperson said in a statement.

“The start of production began in the last week of April with a limited volume being planned – 620 units being reserved for Hyundai Motor Europe and the remaining 180 units exclusively for Hyundai Motor Company Australia."

Australia's 180-unit allocation is the second biggest of any market, although some European countries are also set to be offered a Fastback version.

Local pricing will be revealed closer to the new model’s arrival in the closing stages of the year, but carsales understands the Hyundai i30 N Drive-N Limited Edition will carry a $2000-$3000 price premium over its donor car which, for reference, starts at $49,500 plus on-roads in manual form or $52,500 when fitted with the DCT.