Battle of Hatches: Hyundai mulls performance-focused i30 RS to rival GTI
23 Oct 2012|6,827 views
"Bury the hatchet" as the saying goes but in the automotive world, hatch-ets cannot be buried. If you need proof, here's one. Hyundai is reportedly in plans to develop a new performance-focused i30 variant to take on the Volkswagen GTI hot hatch. Dubbed as the i30 RS (at least for now), the model will likely debut as a thinly veiled concept at Geneva Motor Show 2013. The RS will be based on the 3-door i30 that recently bowed in Paris. It will be powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that will churn over 200bhp, enabling it to keep up with the pace of the GTI as well as the other hot hatches from Renault and Opel. Like the i30, the RS model will be a front-wheel-drive but the transmission it will be equipped with is not known at this time.
The model will also feature a lowered and stiffened suspension to obtain a more responsive ride, while upgraded brakes all around will keep the extra power in check.
While being performance-oriented, looking the part of a hot hatch is equally important too. The model will get a sportier look with a new full body kit, more aggressive-looking bumpers on both ends and model-specific exterior colours. Bucket seats and a more complete instrumentation will continue the track-inspired theme on the inside.
"Bury the hatchet" as the saying goes but in the automotive world, hatch-ets cannot be buried. If you need proof, here's one. Hyundai is reportedly in plans to develop a new performance-focused i30 variant to take on the Volkswagen GTI hot hatch. Dubbed as the i30 RS (at least for now), the model will likely debut as a thinly veiled concept at Geneva Motor Show 2013.
The RS will be based on the 3-door i30 that recently bowed in Paris. It will be powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that will churn over 200bhp, enabling it to keep up with the pace of the GTI as well as the other hot hatches from Renault and Opel. Like the i30, the RS model will be a front-wheel-drive but the transmission it will be equipped with is not known at this time.
The model will also feature a lowered and stiffened suspension to obtain a more responsive ride, while upgraded brakes all around will keep the extra power in check.
While being performance-oriented, looking the part of a hot hatch is equally important too. The model will get a sportier look with a new full body kit, more aggressive-looking bumpers on both ends and model-specific exterior colours. Bucket seats and a more complete instrumentation will continue the track-inspired theme on the inside.
The RS will be based on the 3-door i30 that recently bowed in Paris. It will be powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that will churn over 200bhp, enabling it to keep up with the pace of the GTI as well as the other hot hatches from Renault and Opel. Like the i30, the RS model will be a front-wheel-drive but the transmission it will be equipped with is not known at this time.
The model will also feature a lowered and stiffened suspension to obtain a more responsive ride, while upgraded brakes all around will keep the extra power in check.
While being performance-oriented, looking the part of a hot hatch is equally important too. The model will get a sportier look with a new full body kit, more aggressive-looking bumpers on both ends and model-specific exterior colours. Bucket seats and a more complete instrumentation will continue the track-inspired theme on the inside.
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