Hyundai i30 Sedan N touches down

The most advanced Hyundai N-car to date has arrived in local showrooms and the 2022 Hyundai i30 Sedan N steps up the performance ante even further than the facelifted i30 N hatch.

Priced from $49,000 plus on-road costs and fitted as standard with an automatic transmission, the new Hyundai i30 Sedan N ushers in a heap of new innovations for the Korean brand and is also available with a six-speed manual as a no-cost option.

For those who prefer a two-pedal arrangement, the gearbox in question is Hyundai’s latest N DCT (dual-clutch transmission) as seen in the updated i30 N hatch and Hyundai Sonata N Line.

That $49K asking price pitches the i30 Sedan N just $1500 upmarket of its equivalent DCT-equipped hatch cousin (or $4500 when referring to the manuals), but the sedan could actually be the better value proposition given it is powered by the same 206kW/392Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine but rides on a newer platform and debuts a new integrated drive axle and brake prefill function.

The new hardware is designed to up the sedan’s track prowess through beefier and simplified componentry (combining the drive shaft, wheel hub and bearing into one unit) as well as ensuring the brakes are primed as the driver rolls off the throttle.

All the other usual N goodies like N Grin Shift Control (drive modes), N Corner Carving Differential (limited-slip diff), adaptive dampers and launch control are present, with the standard Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres helping the Hyundai i30 Sedan N DCT rocket to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds – the manual stops the clock in 5.8 seconds.

Once away, both versions of the i30 Sedan N will top out at 250km/h.

The DCT version also comes with N Grin Shift, N Power Shift and N Track Sense, while the manual scores switchable rev-matching as seen on the Hyundai i20 N.

Upping the value factor even further over the hatch is the level of standard equipment and creature comforts fitted within the interior; the singular trim level being offered here is the fully decked-out ‘Premium’.

Leather upholstery, digital instruments, sat-nav, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital radio, Bose sound, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, track detection, lap timer, N metal pedals, black headliner, ambient lighting, rain-sensing wipers and keyless entry/start are all included as standard and the whole package rolls on bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels.

Australian-delivered examples are also treated to Hyundai Motor Company Australia’s local chassis tuning program, which according to product planning and development manager Tim Rodgers focused primarily on the Normal and Sport drive modes.

“When we received the initial development vehicle, we were immediately impressed by how polished the chassis tune was,” he said.

“The Hyundai N chassis engineers really know our Australian road conditions, and they know our tastes.

“This is the car we’ve done the least local tuning for. Out of the box it suited our roads extremely well – it only needed some minor tweaks really to make it sparkle.”

It’s highly unlikely the N will be mistaken for a Hyundai i30 Sedan N-Line in the showroom, on the road or at the racetrack on account of its much more aggressive styling, not to mention the fixed rear wing adorning its boot lid.

Rodgers said the team knew at the start of the local tuning program that the i30 Sedan N “was going to be the quickest and most capable N” to date and HMCA chief executive Jun Heo said it is a “fitting finale for Hyundai’s new model offensive”.

“i30 Sedan N delivers renowned Hyundai N fun-to-drive and racetrack capability in a striking everyday sports sedan, packed with convenience, safety and driver-focused high-performance technologies,” Heo said.