8

Hyundai has unveiled its first hot-hatch, the i30N, and debuted its new high performance N brand.

The new car has been developed from the ground up to deliver maximum driving pleasure in everyday life on the road, as well as on the track.

“The Hyundai i30 N has been developed for no other purpose than to deliver maximum driving fun to our customers in an accessible high-performance package,” says Albert Biermann, executive vice president Performance Development and High Performance Vehicle Division.

A powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivers up to 275PS and 353Nm torque. Grip is guaranteed by the 18-inch Michelin or 19-inch Pirelli high-performance Hyundai N tyres.

The i30 N, when fitted with the optional Performance Package, can reach 62mph in 6.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 155mph.

Durability and racetrack performance were tested to the limits on the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring circuit. The car has also taken part twice in the world’s toughest endurance test, the ADAC 24-hours race on the Nürburgring.

However, Hyundai maintains that the i30 N is an everyday sports car, suitable for daily commuting in comfort on weekdays or for race track performance on the weekend.

There are five drive modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, N and N Custom settings, which can be selected by using two dedicated buttons on the steering wheel. The different modes change the character of the car, adjusting the engine, dampers, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Limited Slip Differential (E-LSD), sound, steering and rev-matching.

Additionally, the driver can select the rev-matching button on the steering wheel to increase the revs on the engine when shifting from a higher to a lower gear, while the car’s Launch Control helps to launch the car as fast as easy possible by controlling engine torque.

The car is expected to be officially launched towards the end of 2017.