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First Hyundai i30 N Review Includes Gangnam Style Dance

Hyundai has just launched its first true hot hatch, the i30 N. We've seen some reviews of the prototype version, but here's Mat Watson in the finished product on a track in Italy, and he says it's the first Hyundai in which he's had this much fun.
First Hyundai i30 N Review Includes Gangnam Style Dance 4 photos
Photo: YouTube screenshot
First Hyundai i30 N Review Includes Gangnam Style DanceFirst Hyundai i30 N Review Includes Gangnam Style DanceFirst Hyundai i30 N Review Includes Gangnam Style Dance
As we discussed yesterday, there are two versions of the i30 N. The base model will set you back £24,995 in the UK and packs a 250 horsepower version of Hyundai's 2-liter turbo. However, Mat says to skip it and go for the performance pack. This £27,995 version offers 275 HP, 19-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires, electric seats, bigger brakes, active exhaust and an electronically controlled limited slip differential (E-LSD).

The official numbers state the i30 N will do the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.1 seconds. However, Mat hooked it up to the Vbox and got only 6.6 seconds. Still, front-wheel-drive cars are notoriously difficult to get off the line. So while on paper the N is faster than a Ford Focus ST or a GTI, they're probably much closer than you think.

Something else we've learned from this review is that the performance pack includes a brace fitted inside the trunk for added stiffness which can be unbolted to increase practicality. The i30 N is also more configurable even than a Golf GTI, and there's a rev-matching function that has a dedicated button on the steering wheel.

Styling is also discussed, at which point the blue paint is to Mat's liking. However, the black plastic body cladding raises some eyebrows. While on the subject, the reviewer can't resist doing the famous Gangnam Style dance.

Everything about it is pretty well sorted, including the chassis and steering. This is an excellent bit of kit Hyundai is offering, and we can thank the man they stole from BMW M for the handling. Sure, they could have made more effort to jazz up the interior, but then it wouldn't have been so affordable.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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