Hyundai i30 N 2022: facelifted Fastback coming to Australia on limited order-only basis

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Hyundai has announced the 2022 i30 Fastback N Limited Edition will be coming to Australia on a limited order only basis.

Up to 500 units of the i30 Fastback N Limited Edition will be available to order with an expected delivery date towards the end of this year.

The i30 Fastback N features all the major upgrades as the recently facelifted i30 N hatch and can be optioned with the new eight-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission for the first time.

A six-speed manual option will continue to be available, with prices starting at $49,000 (before on-road costs) for the stick-shift but climb to $52,000 if buyers want the dual-clutch.

Hyundai previously told Chasing Cars it decided to ditch the i30 N Fastback in Australia as it only made up 18-20 per cent of sales, but it seems the cult following for the swooped-back hatch has earned Australian fans a special favour.

The i30 Fastback N Limited Edition will be available in a single highly-specific grade that includes the upgraded 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine sending power to the front wheels.

By upgrading the intercooler and turbocharger engineers have managed to squeeze out 206kW of power and 392Nm of torque – up 4kW and 39Nm over the old model.

When paired with the dual-clutch option, the i30 Fastback N accelerates from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds and will keep going until it tops out at 250km/h.

Hyundai has fitted 19-inch forged alloy wheels that cut 14.4kg of unsprung weight, which combined with the electronic limited-slip differential, should make it pretty handy in the bends.

Despite being a limited-run model Hyundai is carrying over the Australian tune for the revised suspension, which should ideally make it more comfortable and capable on our roads.

The front discs have increased from 345mm to 360mm in size for added performance which Hyundai says heavily resist fading thanks to clever cooling guides mounted to the front lower control arms.

Buyers with difficult neighbours will welcome the addition of the standard variable exhaust the provides the ability to slightly adjust the sound at the tough of a button.

Unlike the i30 N hatch, the N Light Seats are fitted as standard on the i30 Fastback N. The seats offer more aggressive bolstering to hold you in place and cut an additional 2.2kg of weight over the regular seats.

The interior is trimmed in a healthy amount of Alcantara and leather materials with a 4.2-inch centre display housed in the gauge cluster and flanked by two analogue dials. 

Sitting in the centre of the dash is a larger 10.25-inch screen with in-built digital radio, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

It builds on other niceties such as a wireless charger, heated steering wheel, heated front seats and rear privacy glass that will make the slicked-back hatch a bit nicer to live with every day.

Safety features including lane keep assist, front AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, driver attention monitoring and a rearview camera are all thrown in as standard.

Buyers have until September 31 to order their i30 Fastback N Limited Edition with deliveries expected to take place in the fourth quarter of this year.

i30 Fastback N Limited Edition 2022: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Six-speed manual: $49,000
• Eight-speed DCT: $52,000