KLIMS 2018: Hyundai i30N Makes An Appearance, 275 PS And A Manual Transmission

The Hyundai stand at the KLIMS 2018 has probably the most diverse line-up of powertrains on display. Apart from launching the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe 7-seater SUV, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) also displayed their new i30N.

The Hyundai i30N is no regular hatchback. Hyundai’s high-performance line-up carries the ‘N’ nomenclature and the engineers at its Namyang Technology Research Centre have changed the majority of the parts on the regular i30 hatchback to performance-focused items.

The team from Namyang then completed development work of the i30N at the famed 20.8-kilometre Nürburgring Nordschleife loop in Germany, fine-tuning all the dynamic parameters. Over the period of testing and validation, the team clocked over 10,000 kilometres around the famed twisty high-speed circuit.

The engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder displacing 2.0 litres and generating high outputs of 275 PS at 6,000 rpm and 353 Nm of torque. An overboost function during full throttle applications momentarily increases torque output to 378 Nm.

All that performance is mated to a 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission that also features a fancy electronically-controlled differential called ‘N Corner Carving Differential’. The drive is only channelled to the Pirelli P-Zero tyres up front. 

With the help of launch control and smooth shifting, acceleration from rest to 100 km/h can be completed in 6.1 seconds.

Other performance features in the Hyundai i30N include:

• N Grin Control (Five drive modes including Sport, N and N Custom)
• N Display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Adaptive electronically controlled suspension
• Variable-sound exhaust system
• 19-inch wheels with 235/35R19 custom-developed Pirelli P-Zero tyres (HN)
• High-performance braking system (345 mm front disc diameter)
• Launch control
• Heavily bolstered N sports seats

HSDM has no mention of the timeline to introduce the Hyundai i30N in Malaysia. News reports meanwhile shared that Hyundai is planning to have an eight-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) option available by late 2019.