Hyundai I30 Fastback N

Hyundai has made a blockbuster entry into the hot-hatch market. The design met all the assumptions of a sports compact car, on top of which it stood out with a great-sounding exhaust – even against strong competition. The polifting version put an N DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission on board the sporty Hyundai, which convinced us that this car had to be in our range. Our copy is the Performance version characterized by many additional features. These include increased power, an electronically controlled front axle differential (E-LSD), a stiffening beam at the rear, and forged 19-inch aluminum wheels.

The package also gets a few extras to make everyday driving more enjoyable – a larger touchscreen (10’25”) with navigation, a wireless charger, leather/suede upholstery and tinted rear windows. The Hyundai’s ride is also aided by N Mode, which allows for the most advanced component configuration of any hot hatch on the market. It is worthwhile to see how the different settings affect the handling of the car. Being around the handling, one can’t help but mention that the I30N was largely designed by those formerly responsible for BMW’s M division. You can feel it when driving the car on winding roads. Hyundai is much more engaging to drive than, for example, the competitive Golf R. The Korean hot-hatch also handles very well in worse weather conditions, thanks to its advanced electronic differential.

The car’s facelift, in turn, introduced subtle but significant changes. In addition to a subtle increase in power, the front of the vehicle features new lights with LED daytime running lights, a larger grill and new air intakes in the bumper. The rims have also changed; now made of forged aluminum, they are as much as 14 kilograms lighter (unsprung weight) compared to the earlier version. The rear of the vehicle similarly featured new LED lamps. The icing on the cake is larger exhaust tips and a more aggressive-looking diffuser. The Hyundai I30N is a must for those who love fast cornering and loud exhaust shots.

In this era of the pursuit of more and more power and modernity (often manifested in the form of a large number of screens or extensive ambiente lighting inside the vehicle), Hyundai stands out. It focuses on pure driving experience, handling and great sound. Its center is not overloaded with touch screens, black piano elements or an excess of additional mood lighting. It is “simple” and provides great driving fun – this is what has won the adoration of car lovers.