Hyundai i30 N sedan revealed

The 2021 Hyundai i30 N sedan has officially broken cover in a digital world premiere event this morning, ahead of the high-performance four-door’s Aussie launch in the fourth quarter of this year.

The hot 206kW turbo-petrol small car has emerged as the upgraded 2021 Hyundai i30 N hatchback enters showrooms this month, and just days after local pricing for the soon-to-arrive first-ever Kona N and i20 N were announced.

Full local specs and pricing for the i30 N sedan have yet to be released, but you can count on a sub-$50K starting point in line with the hatchback that starts from $44,500 plus on-road costs for the six-speed manual or $47,500 plus ORCs with the new N DCT eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic.

These combine with the hot 206kW/392Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, and with launch control activated the front-wheel drive i30 N sedan (with DCT) is claimed to be capable of reaching 100km/h from standstill in 5.3 seconds.

Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

An N Grin Shift (NGS) driving mode on the N DCT model, which is activated via a button on the steering wheel, puts the engine into overboost, temporarily delivering even higher outputs of 213kW for a short period.

Other highlights include an electronic limited-slip differential, N Power Shift and a variable exhaust valve system.

A first for any N performance model, Hyundai has also added an integrated drive axle (IDA) to the i30 N sedan, which combines the drive shaft, wheel hub and bearing into one unit.

The IDA is said to have been inspired by technology used in WRC rally cars, and results in a weight reduction of 1.7kg.

The air intakes compartment has also been modified to offer further weight reduction and sharpen engine response.

Elsewhere, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels are also said to be improved with the addition of a new dual-compound insulator to the front suspension as well as dual-compound trailing arm bush.

Stopping power comes courtesy of large 360mm brake discs up front, with an extra cooling hole built into the wheel-arch dust cover to allow plenty of ventilation.

The i30 N sedan will also be the first model to debut the so-called N Sound Equaliser (NSE), a feature that brings a range of synthesised engine sounds including a TCR race car-inspired option, as well as an equaliser function for the driver to adjust “whine, throat and bass” levels to their liking.

Outside, it’ll be easy to tell the hotter i30 N apart from the regular sedan, with standard features to include a decent-sized rear spoiler, rear diffuser, lip spoiler on the front bumper to make it appear lower and N-exclusive red exterior trim details.

The rear-end also features an inverted triangular N-only reflector, along with dual exhaust outlets.

Meanwhile, the sedan will ride on 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber.

Inside, the N fit-out continues, with the seats, steering wheel, metal pedals, door scuff plates and gear shifter all taken from the brand’s high-performance parts bin.

Other features include an ‘advanced’ infotainment unit that brings information such as oil and coolant temperatures, torque and turbo pressure, a lap timer and an ‘N Track Map’ which records the driver’s location and movement on circuit in real time.

A new Hyundai N app will also be available overseas – with plans to extend its functionality here in Australia eventually – to provide G-force, rpm, torque output and lap times to smartphones and tablets to allow drivers to analyse their driving.

The app is said to be initially available to customers who purchase the i30 N sedan with Bluelink (Connected Car Service), however Hyundai says existing N owners will also be able to use the app in time.

In Korea, the app will be able to rank drivers by using their best lap times from a range of racetracks.

Sold overseas as the Elantra N and Avante, the i30 N sedan’s unveiling comes after months of spy shots and official teasers.

Stay tuned for further details on the i30 N sedan as its local launch draws near.