Overview
FACELIFT? No, the up to date Hyundai i30 Sedan N has seen extra than simply some beauty changes… a few of which you would possibly discover a bit questionable.
However beneath the brand new pink stripes and revised entrance and rear designs, there’s a reworked suspension damper tune, up to date steering components, new chassis elements, a stiffer body, additional brake hose insulation for fade resistance, redone stability management tuning and even redesigned engine mounts to minimize axle-tramp from a standstill.
These modifications will little doubt appease the fanatic, however for the every day driver there are different spec’ changes that enhance the worth equation considerably, contemplating the brand new mannequin is $1800 costlier at $52,000 +ORCs. The listing worth applies to both the six-speed handbook and eight-speed dual-clutch auto, and the one choices are premium paint ($595) and a sunroof ($2000).
Acquainted from the final i30 Sedan N is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, with peak outputs of 206kW (at 6000rpm) and 392Nm (at 2100-4700rpm). It nonetheless has a number of N driving modes together with configurability to the steering, suspension and powertrain response, and there’s N Grin Shift auto rev matching, too.
The official mixed cycle gasoline effectivity quantity is 8.5L/100km for the handbook, and eight.3L/100km for the auto fashions – which is barely larger than the pre-facelift variations. You received’t see something close to that in the event you take it to the observe, although.
There’s a five-year/limitless kilometre guarantee for the automotive, and fans, take notice – Hyundai covers the car for observe use, however not racing (see the phrases and circumstances before you purchase) and there’s additionally a lifetime capped-price service schedule which, in the event you preserve with the model, consists of lifetime roadside help.
Not like another fashions in the usual i30 Sedan vary, the Sedan N requires upkeep each 12 months/10,000km, and the capped-price servicing plan over the primary 5 years/50,000km averages out at $359 per go to.
The i30 Sedan N is significantly larger than the N hatch, stretching 4710mm (2720mm wheelbase), with a big boot capability of 474 litres, to not point out a space-saver spare wheel beneath the boot flooring. The usual sedans characteristic a extra sensible house, although, because the N has a stiffening bar positioned behind the rear seatbacks meaning your load-through functionality is muted.
N fashions get some particular inside ending to set them other than cheaper variations with leather-based appointed trim and sports activities entrance seats – however oddly, the driving force’s seat (which options electrical adjustment and reminiscence settings) isn’t as straightforward to place as within the decrease spec’ variations.
There’s additionally a black N badge on the steering wheel, pink stitching, and N mode buttons on the wheel. The cabin has twin 10.25-inch shows, the media display incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but in addition has built-in satnav, and an eight-speaker Bose sound system.
A six-foot grownup can slide in behind a equally sized driver with a little bit of house to spare, plus for household patrons there are bottle holders, directional air-vents, two new USB-C cost ports, and the anticipated ISOFIX factors within the window seats, and three top-tether factors.
Driving impressions
Probably the most spectacular factor in regards to the revisions to the i30 Sedan N is that it nonetheless retains its “hooligan” and “nook rascal” traits, but it surely’s now extra habitable in day after day eventualities.
The revised suspension dampers and up to date steering make it a extra pleasurable automotive to drive in city conditions, with much less of the earlier automotive’s propensity to clang and bang over again streets.
This newly rethought i30 Sedan N isn’t as smooth as some rivals, although. It nonetheless has an crisp tune to the damping even in probably the most comfort-focused setting, and within the full N mode it’s most likely a bit a lot for normal nation roads.
The steering is smidge extra respectful, too. Beforehand it was nice, but it surely simply feels a contact extra city pleasant. In additional demanding conditions you continue to get a fast point-to-point and point-and-shoot expertise, with quick responses, and a great quantity of really feel by the wheel.
There’s a locking entrance differential which you’ll really feel working if you’re actually up it, because it helps to get a bit extra steadiness out of the bends as you energy out. It’s not devoid of torque steer, however is extra restricted than you would possibly count on from a front-wheel drive automotive pumping out these sorts of figures.
And fortunately, the throttle-down response has been improved with these new engine mounts, which notably cut back the quantity of axle-tramp if you flatten it from a cease (and even in second-gear, within the pre-facelift).
The engine is a corker, too. It’s not “quick-EV” quick with a 0-100km/h of 5.3 seconds, but it surely has way more character than any automotive at this worth with a plug.
There’s a manageable energy supply in Regular driving mode, however if you have interaction N mode you get the very best out of it, with sturdy response, linear energy supply and a heck of a soundtrack to accompany it, with exhaust pops and blatts on lift-off.
I drove each the six-speed handbook with its hefty-feeling clutch (stallable in stop-start driving…. I even noticed one of many racing driver instructors stall it), and the eight-speed moist dual-clutch auto. The latter is the decide for liveability, however the former is the enjoyable one for the track-focused purchaser.
The i30 Sedan N stays a terrific various to the Subaru WRX, and a much more inexpensive household automotive choice than a Civic Kind R or VW Golf R.
