While the Hyundai i20 N was thought to be living on borrowed time due to emissions regulations, a potential lifeline has been thrown to small hot hatch fans.
The brand is expected to keep the i20 N alive with a hybrid-boosted petrol engine paired with an automatic. This would displace the existing 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine and six-speed manual, and make it a fitting rival for the VW Polo GTI and Mini Cooper S.
With a new generation i20 hatch revealed recently for Brazil and other Latin American markets, Dr Manfred Harrer, Hyundai’s global head of R&D gave hope to small N fans, telling AutoExpress “We need this entry-level back for our fans.”
“It’s hybridised” Dr Harrer told AutoExpress, “with adjusted battery performance and cooling’” he said. “Launching a pure petrol without hybridisation – how would that be perceived by the market?” he asked. “We aren’t living in the 20th century.”
Reportedly, a 1.6-litre turbocharged four cylinder will be muscled up with an integrated starter generator, direct electric drive, and torque assist.
The forthcoming drivetrain, as it stands, will not offer a manual, with the functionality of the hybrid system integrated into the automatic transmission. The system can reportedly support up to 224kW and 380Nm — healthier than today’s 150kW / 275Nm outputs.
While the forthcoming N remains conceptual for now, a test product is reportedly “not far away” from full scale production, and subsequent marketing within Europe.
The new generation i20 small hatchback will replace the now six-year-old, third generation model offered locally only in N Performance guise.
Chasing Cars understands a new Hyundai i20 N would be high on the wishlist for the brands Australian arm.
In its home market, the new i20 will soon take on Mazda 2, Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo.
It measures 4130mm long (+55), 1780mm wide (+5mm), and 1495mm tall (+55mm), driving on a 2580mm wheelbase.
Typical of a global-market Hyundai product, the fourth-generation i20 also sports ‘Art of Steel’ neo-futurist design language, with sharp body lines and plenty of LED lighting.