Hyundai reveals hot i20 N in full, due next year
Thursday, 22 October 2020
Hyundai has revealed the pint-sized i20 N hot hatch in full, designed to do battle with the Ford Fiesta ST and VW Polo GTI.
The i20 N comes in the N division’s trademark shade of blue, officially named ‘Performance Blue’ with red accents along the side skirts and front lip.
There’s an additional air intake on the front bumper while aero fins are seen in the rear bumper. A high-mounted roof spoiler completes the high-performance look.
Hyundai has also modified the rear lights a little compared to the regular i20, added a triangular rear fog light and dotted blue accents throughout the interior. Further interior mods include sports seats, a sports steering wheel, metal pedals, unique instrument cluster graphics, and a special gear knob.
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There will be three metal pedals in the driver’s footwell because the only transmission option (at this stage) is a six-speed manual. Hyundai said it will offer an eight-speed dual clutch, but only if there’s enough customer demand.
In the meantime, the manual has a stronger clutch and automatic rev matching capabilities.
It’s connected to a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder making 152kW of power and 275Nm of torque. Compare that to the Fiesta ST’s figures of 147kW/290Nm from a turbo 1.5-litre triple or the Polo GTI’s 147kW/320Nm from its turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder.
Hyundai hasn’t offered performance figures just yet but Ford’s rival hits 100kmh in 6.5 seconds while the German alternative takes a claimed 6.7 seconds.
Some electronic aids are included in the i20 N, like launch control and several drive modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, N, and N Custom. The last one allows drivers to adjust various settings like engine response and sound, steering, ESP, and rev-matching.
More changes beneath the skin includes a retuned chassis for driveability and handling, with the suspension getting new joints, springs and shock absorbers. The front brakes are larger too, the discs now measuring 320mm (up 40mm).
Hyundai NZ hasn’t offered any local details but the Australian arm has confirmed the i20 N will be the only i20 model to sell over there, in the same way Ford only offers the Fiesta ST here. No price has been announced just yet but we should see it touch down in the first half of 2021.