New Hyundai i30 Fastback N revealed, but in doubt for Australia

Images of the faster, more powerful and more advanced Hyundai i30 Fastback N were revealed in Europe overnight, but its continued presence in Aussie showrooms is not yet set in stone.

The facelifted 2021 Hyundai i30 Fastback N is powered by the same upgraded 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine (206kW/392Nm) as the i30 N hatch, which has been confirmed for Australia and will launch in the first half of 2021 with a new dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The first-ever i30 Sedan N – based on the overseas Elantra – will also arrive in Australia later in 2021, muscling in on Fastback N territory.

“The facelifted i30 N with new N DCT will launch locally in the first half of 2021, with the all-new i30 Sedan N arriving later in the year,” said Guido Schenken, Hyundai Australia’s PR senior manager.

“At this time we’re not in a position to confirm if the i30 Fastback N will launch alongside the facelifted i30 N, in the first half of 2021.”

While carsales has already driven camouflaged (left-hand drive) prototypes of the i30 Fastback N in Australia, the uncertainty around the vehicle’s local deployment could be due to the fact the i30 Sedan N coming later in the year would essentially occupy the same space.

Another factor playing against the i30 Fastback N is that it’s imported from Hyundai’s Turkish factory in Europe, whereas the all-new Hyundai i30 Sedan N, which is also based on a newer, lighter K3 platform, and is sourced from Korea, which would reduce import costs.

As with the hatch, the upgraded front-drive Hyundai i30 Fastback N is offered with the N DCT auto gearbox for the first time, which includes various ‘Grin Shift’ modes to enhance enthusiastic driving.

A six-speed manual will also be available.

The new-look design borrows its sharper, more aggressive front-end styling from the i30 N hatchback, while the rear is largely unchanged compared to the current model, which has been sold in Australia since March 2019.

Like the current model, the four-door Fastback continues to offer adaptive dampers alongside sports suspension, an adjustable electronic limited-slip front diff, big brakes and wheels, performance tyres and range of interior upgrades such as sports seats and metal pedals.

Hyundai is continuing to expand its go-fast offerings with numerous N Line models, including the Tucson and Sonata, along with a few more full-strength N cars.

The pint-sized Hyundai i20 N, powered by a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine (150kW/275Nm), will launch in February 2021, and the Hyundai Kona N that has been spotted testing at the Nurburgring road course in Germany is almost certain to arrive in Australia in late 2021 or early 2022.

Based on the same platform as the i30 N hatch, the Kona N is expected to get the same 206kW 2.0-litre four-pot turbo-petrol engine, but if it’s AWD it could deliver even faster standing-start acceleration.

This would see a total of eight new or updated full-fat N or simply sportier N Line models in Australia by the end of 2021, with the i20 N, i30 N hatch, i30 Sedan N, Kona N, i30 Sedan N Line, Kona N Line, Sonata N Line and Tucson N Line.