Hyundai Australia has officially announced a hotted-up, full-fat N version of its recently-released i30 Sedan that will be coming to our shores in the second half of 2021.
Camouflaged images of the i30 Sedan were released by Hyundai in the United States on Tuesday, where the car continues to wear its former Elantra badge.
Recently relaunched in Australia as a sedan version of the i30, the US-market Elantra N is identical to the i30 Sedan N that will arrive down under.
While it remains under camouflage for now, it’s likely the i30 Sedan N will cut a sharp figure.
While it’s under camouflage, Hyundai have form in giving their N products a mean aesthetic.
“It will be a very similar looking car” said Bill Thomas, general manager of corporate communications at Hyundai. “Obviously, ours is right hand drive, but you can expect that visually they will be identical. I think that we may even be taking the same wheels.”
Visible changes to the i30 N Sedan include deeper and larger vents either side of the centre grill compared to the base model or the N Line, with sharper spider web-like rims fitted at all four corners.
Towards the rear the changes are more obvious, with a small characterful spoiler attached to the boot and more definitive creases on the three-quarter panel extenuating the LED tail lights.
The i30 Sedan N will offer capability above and beyond the already-announced 1.6-litre turbo N Line version.
Other highlight features include a shark-fin attached to the roof and dual exhausts split to either side of the car and upsized considerably from the N Line.
Hyundai is expected to arm the i30 N Sedan with the proven and potent 2.0-litre turbo engine found in the i30 hatch, that puts 206kW of power and 392Nm or torque through the front wheels.
Chasing Cars understands the i30 N Sedan will launch with both a six speed manual and eight-speed wet dual-clutch system, which should make it more appealing to a wider range of buyers.
Expect the interior of the i30 Sedan N to be a performance-orientated version of this cabin.
The i30 Sedan N will arrive a few months after a facelifted version of the i30 N hatchback that has become something of a cult hit in Australia since its launch in 2018.
However, the Fastback version of the i30 N that has accounted for around 18-20 percent of sales – compared to the hatchback – is unlikely to rejoin the range, meaning that i30 N buyers in Australia will be able to choose between more conventional hatch and sedan styles.
“We haven’t announced it yet, but it’s likely that the Fastback will be discontinued in Australia and we’ll just go forward with the hatch and sedan,’ Mr Thomas said.
Chasing Cars understands that the arrival of the i30 Sedan N will coincide with the departure of the i30 Fastback N from Australia.
It is possible that the i30 Sedan N will be a more natural fit in Australia, where the high-performance version will sit atop a substantial range – much like the i30 hatchback.
The i30 Fastback is offered a full range in Europe, but locally, buyers could only opt for this body style in full-fat N form.
It remains to be seen whether Australian i30 N buyers will be drawn to the sedan version. In recent years, Hyundai have shifted ten i30 hatchbacks for every one Elantra sedan sold. The shift to i30 badging – as well as the availability of a hot N version – could change this.
Mr Thomas said buyers are demanding more and more N models and had no doubt people would fall in love with the stunning design and incredible performance on offer in the incoming four-door sedan.