2021 Hyundai i20 official sketches released

Design drawings of the all-new third-generation Hyundai i20 hatch have been teased ahead of its official unveiling this March at the 2020 Geneva motor show.

Featuring a comprehensive restyling, the latest images suggest the pint-sized i20 is destined for a far sportier look, with a rakish rear end, plus huge air intakes upfront and a dominant, more aggressive take on the brand's 'cascading' grille.

Designed to rival cars like the Volkswagen Polo, the i20 features a whole host of powertrain, chassis and interior upgrades. It will go on sale in Europe by the third quarter.

The bad news is the more stylish i20 is once again set to miss out on being imported Down Under but the good is the little five door hatch will get the full Hyundai N treatment and the resulting Hyundai hot hatch could head Down Under.

If it does, the i20 N will rival establish small hot hatchbacks like the Ford Fiesta ST and the Renault Clio RS.

Set to be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder, the i20 N will produce about 150kW and 300Nm of torque.

Combined with a six-speed manual or a dual-clutch transmission, that should easily be enough for a 0-100km/h dash of less than 6.5 seconds.

Inside the fastest i20 N, the city hatch will not go short.

In comes a pair of sport bucket seats, plus a full digital instrument cluster, plus Hyundai's new 10.25-inh infotainment system.

Driver assistance tech including lane keep assist, driver attention warning and autonomous emergency braking will all be standard.

It's not yet been confirmed if Hyundai Australia plans to import the i20 N, nor when the fast i20 N will enter production.