Test Drive Analysis: 2018 Hyundai i30 N Track Edition

Hyundai's Australian i30 N Launch: A Sporty Performance Contender

Test Drive Analysis: 2018 Hyundai i30 N Track Edition

The Hyundai i30 N, developed by Hyundai Motor Company and a team of international engineers under the leadership of German automobile engineer Albert Biermann, has made its mark as a formidable competitor in the performance car segment.

Biermann, formerly the head of chassis development at BMW M, joined Hyundai in 2015 and took charge of the development department, as well as the new N-Model series — Hyundai's performance brand.

Development Team & Responsible Parties

Albert Biermann, as Executive Vice President for Vehicle Testing & High Performance Development, was the key developer and the "father" of the i30 N.
The N-Team (derived from "Nürburgring") comprises engineers from Germany, Korea, and other countries, collaborating on performance, handling, design, and technology.
Hyundai’s European Technical Center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, was the primary development centre for the i30 N, as Hyundai focused on the European market and European driving preferences.

Key Specifications

Premiere: Autumn 2017 at the IAA in Frankfurt
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine (over 250 PS)
Features: Dynamics, power, sound, looks — all tailored for sporty performance

Notable Features

The i30 N's chassis remains stable under high speeds, with a buttoned-down rear axle that resists breaking free.
Big-bolstered seats in the i30 N lock the torso in place during high-speed cornering.
Shift lights on the dashboard help with perfect shift timing.
The i30 N does not prefer to break free and go oversteery like some French options.
The 2.0-liter engine in the i30 N responds well above 3000rpm, with 202kW and 378Nm of power and torque.
The steering of the i30 N is consistent, linear, alert, and assertive.
The front suspension geometry of the i30 N has been carefully engineered to almost perfectly intersect the centre of the tyre's contact patch, reducing torque steer.
The electronically-controlled and hydraulically actuated differential provides an almost AWD feel.
The i30 N feels at home in a racing environment, with a roomy cabin and low-mounted seats.
The i30 N's mechanical differential helps maintain traction when accelerating hard.
The gearshifts in the i30 N are well-defined and slick, with carbon synchros.
The i30 N produces heavy-caliber sound effects at high rpm.
The i30 N demonstrated remarkable durability during repeated laps at race speed, with stable oil and coolant temperatures, non-chunking tires, and non-boiling brake fluid.
Downshift rev-matching in the i30 N helps with nailing brake points.
The i30 N, with modifications, achieved a 1:40.4 lap time around Winton's long configuration.
The launch allowed journalists to drive the car on a racetrack without any minders or restrictions.

Pricing

The i30 N is priced at AUD 39,990.

Driver Briefing

The driver briefing was brief and included instructions to wear a helmet, long sleeves, and keep speeds in the pits under 40km/h.

The Hyundai i30 N is the result of an international collaboration, but it stands for the influence of Albert Biermann and the German performance competence of the Hyundai brand. It was developed to challenge segment leaders like the VW Golf GTI and is popular among car enthusiasts for its dynamics and versatility.