• First Hyundai performance model released under new N sub brand
• 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine produces either 250PS or 275PS
• Available in two powerful and well-equipped specifications
• New Hyundai i30 N goes on sale in January 2018 from £24,995

THERE is a new hot hatch coming over the horizon in the shape of the Hyundai i30 N, the first performance car to be produced under the new Hyundai N brand.

The “N” allegedly refers to both Hyundai’s Namyang R&D centre where the car was developed, and the Nurburgring where it was developed. The latter also because it appears to be the law when designing a performance version of a car.

The Hyundai i30 N will be available in two specifications – i30 N and i30 N Performance – when it goes on sale in January.

In line with the rest of the i30 range, Hyundai has included the usual level of specification in both versions. LED head and tail lights, Smart Adaptive Speed Control, Keyless Entry with Engine Start/Stop Button, 8” Touchscreen Satellite Navigation with Android Auto and Apple Car Play, all are fitted as standard. Clearly the N specification adds more power without taking away any of the existing equipment.

The i30 N builds on that with additional performance equipment including 18” alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, Electronically Controlled Suspension, 17” ventilated front brake discs with 16” rear and manually operated hand brake. You also get the i30 N’s Torque Vectoring System and steering wheel mounted Drive Mode Buttons, where the driver can access and customise engine and suspension settings.

The i30 N Performance upgrades some of the above to include 19” alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tyres, an additional 25PS of power, Electronic Limited Slip Differential and 18” ventilated front brake discs with 17” rear. The i30 N Performance also adds interior equipment, including electrically operated leather and suede seats for both driver and passenger.

Under the bonnet both models share the same 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. The engine produces either 250PS or 275PS depending on which variant you choose.

In performance terms, both i30 N and i30 N Performance are electronically limited to 155 miles per hour, with the 0-62 sprint taking either 6.4 or 6.1 seconds respectively. The i30 N Performance is obviously the quicker of the two but that is offset with slightly higher emissions – 163g/km against 159g/km – and an increase of BIK tax for company car drivers from 30% to 31%.

Apart from the additional running cost there is also a £3,000 price difference between the two models. In the grand scheme of things this isn’t a massive increase in price for the extra power and a slightly higher specification.

Prices for the Hyundai i30 N range start from £24,995 for the standard model and £27,995 for the Performance. Both promise to offer a great driving experience and both come in under the £30k mark. On that basis alone the Hyundai i30 N is definitely an interesting proposition.