[Auto] Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance 275 CV

[#Steeven.™]

Hyundai finally launched into the segment of compact sports with a serious bet. The blow on the table was overwhelming, even more than expected, putting the N version for the i30 on the board, which from the beginning was highly criticized. Shortly after the arrival of this version for the hatchback the brand launched the same variant for the fastback, the most "flirtatious" in the family. We put the Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance to the test, a “almost” unique sports compact that Hyundai Maven and Sons give us.

And it's true, there aren't many like him. Yes, it reminds us of the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 and the BMW M235i Gran Coupé, both with four-door coupe saloon bodywork with similar dimensions. But if we take a look at the final invoice that the dealer would ask us to satisfy, we find a big difference.

The one in Stuttgart has a starting price of 59,700 euros, while the one in Munich asks us for its services 58,700 euros. Both ride four-cylinder, 306-horsepower engines, mechanics that send their energy to all four wheels. The South Korean, on the other hand, asks us to take out the wallet with much more kindness. The starting price is 39,350 euros in the Performance finish, although with the brand's discount we stayed at 33,350 euros. For this amount we take home a front-wheel drive car with 275 horsepower, always counting on a manual gearbox unlike the Germans, who work with automatic gearboxes.

 

Everything we want to see

Leaving aside that the price difference between a Hyundai i30 Fastback N and its German rivals exceeds 25,000 euros, an amount for which you can buy a Ford Fiesta ST, let's begin to analyze its exterior. This version of the i30 family is the most visually appealing, at least in terms of sportiness. On an aesthetic level everything is practically identical to the hatchback until we reach the B-pillar, where things start to change, for the better.

But I am not going to stop at naming the differences of the i30 Fastback with respect to its hatchback brother, for that you have the test of my partner Diego Ávila who explains to you in great detail what this Fastback version is. I will focus on what makes N different, which causes you to turn when you see it go by. And it is that without the last name N, this car is not a magnet of looks, but thanks to the specific body kit of this version the interest of your sight changes in a remarkable way.

Externally, in this compact sport we find everything that a lover of "hot hatch" is looking for. We have a beefier body thanks to new bumpers, large air intakes and a racing aesthetic diffuser. Details are the key, with 19-inch wheels, red accents that outline the body, a small spoiler at the rear and the fog light in between the two exhaust outlets with a design that mimics racing cars.

In this unit we find an exclusive vinyl N brightening the body that makes it clear that we are dealing with a special version of the i30 family. It is not to my liking, I prefer Performance blue or Micron gray for this body. But that is a matter of taste. Thanks to the changes that come from N, this i30 Fastback goes from being a sober design car to a whole sporty compact that manages to steal looks.

If we continue to analyze the changes, the interior reveals fewer surprises. At first glance we find the N stamped in some corners, on the instrument panel, on the steering wheel and seats. The key, in my opinion, are the steering wheel, with exclusive design and button to access the N driving mode, and the seats, with electric adjustment, leather and alcantara and a design of semibaquets.

 

A set taken care of in detail

But stop talking about eyesight issues. We want to test our hearts, which is why we are here. The Hyundai i30 N Fastback Performance has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a block with similarities to that of the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X. It has 275 horsepower and 378 Nm of torque. With this power it signs a 0-100 km / h in 6.1 seconds, declaring a maximum speed of 250 km / h. A Renault Mégane RS with 280 hp accelerates to 100 km / h from standstill in 5.8 seconds. And a 306-hp BMW M235i Gran Coupé with all-wheel drive and automatic transmission does it in less than 5 seconds.

The N models are special not only for being fighters in the compact sports segment. They have been developed at the Nürburgring and they have done so with the firm conviction of being able to face any model in the segment. Therefore, to its power we add endless adjustments, technology and configurations that make it very suitable for sporty driving. An excellent car for those who love the world of four wheels in its sports aspect.

Among the changes that the South Korean brand has completed to be worthy of carrying the N is the suspension of variable hardness, a system that mounts as standard. We also have a system that gives a gas blow in the reductions called Rev Matching and that we can disconnect through the five driving modes. Of course, there is no lack of the "launch control" option to launch from a standstill.

And so it is. The motor drives us forward and hits us on the seat as if it wanted us to be part of the seats. The engine response is appetizing, it is intense but capable of satisfying us in a wide range of revolutions. It is not a too linear motor that transmits few sensations to the driver, although it does not give us everything instantly, it allows us to savor its 275 horsepower.