Hyundai's first high-performance car under the N lineup, the i30 N was showcased at the Komoco showroom, in conjunction with an upbeat Christmas party, on 20 December 2018. Hyundai's 'N' stands for both Namyang, where Hyundai Motor's global R&D Centre has been situated since 1995, and Nurburgring, the home to Hyundai Motor's European Test Centre.

It is at this location where the i30 N was further developed and tested. Hyundai N high-performance cars are honed at the iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife - one of the most demanding tracks in the world.

Built on the new generation i30, the i30 N, inspired by Hyundai Motorsport's experience in WRC, has been developed from the ground up to deliver maximum driving pleasure in everyday life on the road, as well as on the track.

"The Hyundai i30 N has been developed for no other purpose than to deliver maximum driving fun to our customers in an accessible high-performance package," says Albert Biermann, Executive Vice President Performance Development and High Performance Vehicle Division.

The i30 N is equipped with a four-cylinder 2.0-litre T-GDI turbo engine that delivers 247bhp and 353Nm of torque, which allows it to complete the century sprint in a mere 6.4 seconds, propelling the car to a top speed of 250km/h. It also features an array of performance-oriented features such as an Electronic Limited Slip Differential, Electronic Controlled Suspension, Rev Matching, Launch Control, lap timer and more.

The i30 N sports an aggressive front and rear bumpers with larger air intakes and red character line, aerodynamic rear spoiler with triangular brake light, dual-muffler exhaust, 18- and 19-inch wheels, sport seats and a Performance Blue exterior colour inspired by Hyundai Motorsport.

It is made for people to experience a contented grin when driving a performance car. As such, it has been developed on the basis of three cornerstones under the theme 'Fun to Drive': Corner Rascal, Everyday Sports Car and Race Track Capability.

The N logo symbolises a chicane, the ultimate part of the track where the i30 N achieves maximum traction, precision and feeling. The i30 N's maximum grip is guaranteed by the 18-inch Michelin or 19-inch Pirelli high-performance Hyundai N tyres. The rack-mounted motor-driven power steering is very direct and offers high precision.

The lowered body is rigid and in combination with the Electronic Controlled Suspension (ECS), it reduces roll and enhances cornering speed, enabling the driver to adjust the dampers from comfort-oriented daily commuting to high-performance track-driving. The Electronic Limited Slip Differential (E-LSD) enhances grip and delivers maximum power to the road.

For the real enthusiasts the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) can be switched off completely for maximum freedom.

The i30 N is also an everyday sports car, suitable for daily commuting in comfort on weekdays or for race track performance on the weekend. By offering a great variety of customisation options, the i30 N is a well-balanced hatchback, offering performance and practicality to create the best feeling for the driver.

In the development of the vehicle, durability and racetrack performance were key elements. The i30 N has undergone 10,000km of driving on the Nordschleife at the Nurburgring circuit for durability testing. Thus, when taking the i30 N to a track day, the driver can be sure that the car's performance will endure.

The Hyundai i30 N offers the perfect balance of a track ready car that is also suited for comfortable daily drives.

Price as of press time (inclusive of COE)

Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Manual Turbo - $145,999