Too cool: Hyundai tests new i30 N on ice

Turbocharged i30 N to tackle VW's Golf GTI.

16 March 2017 David McCowen

Hyundai has been refining its i30N hot hatch.

This is serious testing. But it looks like a lot of fun.

Hyundai has been refining its answer to Volkswagen's Golf GTI in sub-zero conditions in the Arctic Circle, taking to the ice to refine the new i30 N hot hatch.

Keen for the best possible result - and to drum up hype for its first performance car - the brand tossed the keys to World Rally Championship contender Thierry Neuville for a run in freezing conditions.

Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with up to 200kW, the hot hatch drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and limited slip differential. New video of the machine features rorty engine sounds that suggest a sports exhaust system will also be in place.

Much of the model's development work has taken place at Germany's Nurburgring circuit, where Hyundai regularly takes part in endurance races for production cars.

The finished article looks set to go on sale in Europe in the second half of 2017 before arriving locally by the end of the year.

Watch the i30 in action:

For all the latest info, visit our Hyundai showroom.

Drive Comments

4 Comments

DJM61 | 2017-03-16 21:10:26

If Hyundai want this model to sell in any meaningful numbers then it needs more than just a six-speed manual transmission: a 7-speed dual clutch or an 8-speed automatic.

Mondo DJM61 | 2017-03-17 06:48:19

Maybe not in the small Australian market, but the manual should sell nicely in Europe.

The truth | 2017-03-16 22:06:47

Interesting comment in the article about Nurburgring. Hyundai goes there for endurance races for production vehicles, obviously trying to improve reliability, whilst the rest of Europe seem to go there for bragging rights about a single lap.