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Hyundai's Golf GTI-killer is finally here! The limited i30N touches down on local soil

Hyundai launched its first array into South Africa's hot hatch segment with its new i30N.

The car, a rival to the likes of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Honda Civic Type R, makes its South Africa debut under a cloud of excitement.

The i30N is Hyundai’s first mass-produced sports car and arrives in South Africa on the back of a strong sales run in Europe.

The front-wheel drive car, says Hyundai, has been honed on the Nürburgring, which builds on the three pillars on which the car is built: fun to drive, racetrack capability, and being an everyday sports car.

Furthermore, the ‘N’ in the new car’s name is for Namyang and Nürburgring. Namyang is the host city for Hyundai’s global Research and Development Centre in Korea, whereas the world famous race track is home to Hyundai’s European Test Centre.

Hyundai says that the i30N underwent 10 000km of testing around the Nürburgring before getting the final stamp of approval.

2020 hyundai i30 N

                                2020 Hyundai i30N. Image: QuickPic

Engine and gearbox

The i30N was launched for the first time in 2017 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, but South Africa had to wait its turn for the car to arrive. Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 202kW and 353Nm between 1500 - 4700rpm. The automaker also says that torque will increase by 8% (to 378Nm) for brief moments (up to 18sec) when in overboost.

Channelling the power to the front wheels is a six-speed manual gearbox. Hyundai claims that the i30N will go from 0 - 100km/h in 6.1 seconds, and onto a top speed of 250km/h. 

Albert Bierman, president and head of Hyundai’s Vehicle Performance Division, says: “We aren’t afraid to do things differently here. Our N cars balance performance and practicality so that they are fun to drive every day. Every N car loves cornering, hence the nickname we have given to their character: ‘Corner Rascal’.”

2020 hyundai i30 N

                                2020 Hyundai i30N. Image: QuickPic

Price and package

Only 14 Hyundai dealers across South Africa, and one each in Botswana and Namibia, will sell the i30N. All dealers, however, in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Eswatini will be equipped to service the car.

The Suggested retail price is R679 900, which includes a seven-year or 200 000km warranty, roadside assistance for seven-years or 150 000km, and a five-year or 75 000km service plan. Service intervals are 15 000km or once a year.

2020 hyundai i30 N

                                2020 Hyundai i30N. Image: QuickPic

The South African i30 N dealerships are: 

• Belville

• Somerset West

• Port Elizabeth

• Durban South

• Pinetown

• Umhlanga

• Richard’s Bay

• East Rand

• The Glen

• Sandton

• Roodepoort

• Centurion

• Wonderboom

• Polokwane

Compiled by: Charlen Raymond

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