HYUNDAI IS DUE to launch its first ever high-performance model later this year.
Hyundai’s sub-brand that develops performance-oriented versions of the company’s existing products, N Performance, is currently developing a hot version of the third-gen i30 hatch, known as the i30 N.
And the i30 N was sent out on a frozen lake in Sweden with Belgian hotshoe Thierry Neuville, the World Rally Championship driver for the Hyundai Motorsport team.
The car is undergoing winter testing in Arjeplog, Sweden to develop and tune its systems under extreme weather conditions, with temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius.
Thierry Neuville tested the car and then provided feedback to the engineers for the development process.
Speaking about his experience, Neuville said:
The engineers have done a great job on the gearbox and the differential. There is good traction and good stability in the slippery testing conditions. And it’s very easy to handle. A normal driver should get a sensation similar to that of a racing car.
Sounds good to us. Although there is lots of camo on the car, the technical details already released tell us that this should be a real rival to other front-wheel drive hot hatches including the Ford Focus ST, Peugeot 308 GTI, new Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf GTI.
It will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with outputs of over 250hp for the base version and 270hp for the Performance Pack version.
From launch, the turbocharged four-banger will be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and later on will be offered with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Hyundai said that its main aim with the i30 N is “to ensure driving enjoyment”. The i30 N will be the third member of the i30 family, following the launch of the five-door version in January and the i30 Tourer at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month.
You can watch the i30 N winter testing in the video below and listen to that fruity exhaust note crackle and pop all the way through. Nice.
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