[Auto] Hyundai i20 N 2021: a new rooster in the henhouse

[G h o s t l y.]

 
 

The new generation of the Hyundai i20 has come with substantial changes and it seems that the Koreans want to enhance their sportiness. It has already been done on an aesthetic level with the arrival of the N Line sports finish for the utility, although they had something more serious prepared. The expected Hyundai i20 N 2021 is presented, an authentic sports version that uses all the experience of the brand in competition. The inspiration could not come from any other than the i20 WRC which has been giving such good results.
 

After the success of the Hyundai i30 N, one of the sports compacts with more personality (as we could see in its test), now it was time to jump into another segment to revolutionize it. They do so with a well-differentiated specimen from the series, with a height lowered by 10 mm and an evolution of the Sensuous Sportiness design language that it introduced. Starting with the N exclusive Performance blue color (there are five more shades) and the two-tone configuration with the black roof.

 

In the Hyundai i20 N you can also see some details in red on specific bumpers that evoke greater sportiness. On the front, in addition to the LED headlights, the wide grille with the N logo or a more prominent splitter stand out. In the side view, the skirts and prominent 18-inch wheels with a matt gray finish and specific brake calipers are striking. The rear is rounded off with a WRC-inspired roof spoiler and a diffuser that integrates the fog lamp and the exhaust outlet.

Inside the sports utility there are also a number of distinctive elements. We are talking about the sports seats with integrated head restraints, the N steering wheel (with some very interesting additional buttons), exclusive gear lever and N sports pedals. This cabin is finished in black and introduces some details in the Performance Blue color. The instrumentation has some specific data for this model.


 

Although probably the most interesting thing about this Hyundai i20 N is its mechanics. It introduces the 1.6 T-GDi petrol block with Continuously Variable Valve Life (CVVD) technology and unique turbo system that is cooled by an intercooler and circulating engine water. It is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox and achieves a power of 204 hp and 275 Nm of torque, not bad for a car in this segment.
 

In fact, it weighs just 1,190 kg, the same as the i20 Coupe WRC. Thanks to this, it achieves enviable performance, with an acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 6.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 230 km / h. In addition to that, the behavior will be remarkable thanks to the optional mechanical limited slip differential (m-LSD) that will help offer a sportier response. The chassis has been reinforced at 12 different points to ensure that the increased power does not detract from the dynamics.

The Hyundai i20 N also features Normal, Eco, Sport, N and N Custom driving modes. That means that its character changes and that it can be completely personalized. Not to mention some special functions such as Rev Matching to adjust the revolutions during gear changes or Launch Control for a perfect start from a standstill. This model will hit the market from spring 2021.