Coming fresh from Hyundai’s N division is a offshoot of their debut product, the i30 N hatch. Meet the fastback version of what we imagine to be that exact car, the i30 N Fastback. The South Korean manufacturer has confirmed that the car will make its market premiere before 2018 is over.
Obviously, there really isn’t much separating the standard i30 hatch with the i30 Fastback aside from the altered body style, and we have little reason to believe that the N versions will differ all to greatly either. Despite being so closely tied, the i30 N Fastback is actually the 3rd car to emerge from the marque’s performance arm - their sophomore effort being the Veloster N, which so far is limited to sale in the United States.
Hyundai is teasing the i30 N Fastback as it undergoes the final set of trials before being green lit for mass production, seen here being driven around their factory track at Namyang, South Korea. The car has also been tested rather extensively at the Nurburgring, where they have opened a permanent technical centre.
Mechanically, the Fastback should be no different than the i30 N hatch, boasting the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and outputting different levels of power and torque based on configuration: 184kW in standard spec or 202kW when equipped with the optional N Performance Pack.
Drive will be sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission and a clever electronic differential, though at some point in the future Hyundai is to introduce a version with an automatic - like a dual-clutch. Because the Fastback body adds relatively little weight over the hatch, its performance should seem nearly identical, meaning a 0-100km/h time of 6.2(ish) seconds with the more powerful engine.
Because of its shape, the i30N Fastback will likely not face the same level of direct competition that its 5-door hatch sibling does. However, it’s still fair to peg it against the same list of rivals: Volkswagen Golf GTI, Peugeot 308 GTI, and the Renault Megane RS.
For more on Hyundai cars, check out our Showroom.
