Earlier this year, spy photos emerged of a hotter version of the Hyundai i30 Fastback N. Even though it’s clad in camouflage, the regular i30 Fastback debuted nearly a year earlier, giving away the N’s general aesthetic. Keen eyes could spot sportier design elements even under the various flavours of camo. A revised, and more aggressive, front and rear bumper, more prominent grille, unique wheels, and side skirts give away the N’s sportier ambitions. Now, after months of speculation and spy shots, Hyundai will pull the wraps off the i30 Fastback Sept. 26 – but it’s doing so in an interesting way.
The future of Hyundai N
Leading up to the reveal, with the car making its official debut at the Paris Motor Show early next month, professional Hyundai Motorsport drivers Gabriele Tarquini and Thierry Neuville will compete in a race from Rome to Paris to see who can set a new world record. Hyundai will reveal the results of the race alongside the car next week.
Mechanically, the i30 Fastback N will be similar to its hatchback sibling. It will use the same turbocharged 2.0-litre engine. In the hatch, the mill produces 247 bhp. The hatch has an optional Performance Pack that cranks power up to 271 bhp. The Fastback should receive the same suspension, electronics, and steering upgrades as the hatch, too.
Hyundai is working hard to push the brand into the performance market, and it does have plans for future N and N-Line products. Those wanting the Hyundai i30 Fastback N will have to wait until early 2019 for the car to go on sale in Europe.
Gallery: Hyundai i30 Fastback N Development
All-New Hyundai i30 Fastback N to premiere in record-breaking road trip
September 19, 2018 – Hyundai Motor is giving a first glimpse of the All-New i30 Fastback N ahead of its official unveiling on September 26. To showcase the performance of the first five-door hot coupe in the C segment, professional Hyundai Motorsport drivers Gabriele Tarquini and Thierry Neuville will compete against each other to set a new record, driving from Rome to Paris. They will push the high-performance coupe to its limits, shortly before its official premiere at the Paris Motor Show.
The All-New i30 Fastback N carries the trademark characteristics of the successful i30 N five-door, integrated into the unique coupe body style. The potent powertrain and thoroughly-engineered chassis are set to make it another in-demand model from Hyundai’s high-performance range – the second in the brand’s European line-up.
The Hyundai N range has derived from the cradle of Hyundai’s motor sport engagement including the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and the Touring Car Racing (TCR) International series. The ‘N’ stands for Namyang, Hyundai’s global R&D Centre in Korea, and for the Nürburgring, home to Hyundai’s European Test Centre where the N models are further developed and tested.
The results of the world record race, as well as further details of the All-New i30 Fastback N, will be revealed on 26 September 2018.