Photo: SB-Medien
Despite the FWD setup, we think hot hatches are modern sports cars, fun, affordable commuters. And this is one of the contenders for the segment crown, the 2021 Hyundai i30 N.
For those of you who don't know, the i30 is Hyundai's compact hatchback, a direct rival for the Golf that's aimed primarily at the European market. The N performance version is thus a Golf GTI competitor, and it's directly related to the Veloster N.
Because most Americans discriminate against hatchbacks, Hyundai USA wasn't able to import the i30 N. However, in Europe and Australia, it proved the superior sports car when compared against the GTI, and now they're doing an updated version.
The launch schedule released by the Korean automaker said the i30 N was going to be launched towards the end of this year. Nurburgring testing appears to be going as planned, with two prototypes being spotted today, the second sporting the Fastback body style. It doesn't look like a Mustang, but it's better than whatever shape the Civic hatch has.
The big news with the new i30 N is a gearbox. For many years, Hyundai has been promising a wet-clutch DCT, and it's finally going to be available. That means you can pretend to be a drag racing legend now without being consistent with your clutch work.
The DCT brings with it steering-wheel-mounted paddles, N Track Sense Shift with Launch Control, and an electric oil pump designed for abuse. The engine is also going to have an overboost function where torque from the 2-liter turbo goes up from 353 to 377 Nm (260 to 278 lb-ft) for 20 seconds just so you can win more races.
Unless we're mistaken, the Golf GTI Clubsport also had overboost, but it only lasted for 10 seconds, which obviously wasn't enough for a quarter-mile heat. Speaking of the GTI, the all-new version will arrive in the U.S. in late 2021, probably packing 242 hp.
Because most Americans discriminate against hatchbacks, Hyundai USA wasn't able to import the i30 N. However, in Europe and Australia, it proved the superior sports car when compared against the GTI, and now they're doing an updated version.
The launch schedule released by the Korean automaker said the i30 N was going to be launched towards the end of this year. Nurburgring testing appears to be going as planned, with two prototypes being spotted today, the second sporting the Fastback body style. It doesn't look like a Mustang, but it's better than whatever shape the Civic hatch has.
The big news with the new i30 N is a gearbox. For many years, Hyundai has been promising a wet-clutch DCT, and it's finally going to be available. That means you can pretend to be a drag racing legend now without being consistent with your clutch work.
The DCT brings with it steering-wheel-mounted paddles, N Track Sense Shift with Launch Control, and an electric oil pump designed for abuse. The engine is also going to have an overboost function where torque from the 2-liter turbo goes up from 353 to 377 Nm (260 to 278 lb-ft) for 20 seconds just so you can win more races.
Unless we're mistaken, the Golf GTI Clubsport also had overboost, but it only lasted for 10 seconds, which obviously wasn't enough for a quarter-mile heat. Speaking of the GTI, the all-new version will arrive in the U.S. in late 2021, probably packing 242 hp.
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