Hyundai i30 N
Hyundai's i30 N was Korea's very first really credible performance hot hatch and we loved it. Jonathan Crouch looks at the revised version.
Ten Second Review
With this i30 N hot hatch, Hyundai launched its 'N' performance sub-brand with the i30 N hotch hatch, a model now usefully improved, primarily with a paddleshift auto gearbox option. The i30 N remains the kind of car you simply wouldn't expect from this Korean maker, with an output of up to 280PS intended to provide performance to embarrass this car's Volkswagen Golf GTI arch-rival.
Background
Hyundai continues to get serious about performance. For proof, take a look at this i30 N hot hatch, now usefully improved and originally developed by a team led by former BMW M Power boss Albert Biermann. Before original launch, it underwent a lengthy testing period that included over 6,000 miles of running on the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife racetrack and its aim continues to be to slot right in amongst the established players in the volume part of the family hatch-sized GTI segment. The 'N' in the model name stands not only for 'Nurburgring' but also for 'Namyang', Hyundai's vast research and development centre back in South Korea.