When Hyundai launched their i30 N in 2017, it brought the Korean automaker straight into the hot hatch fray. Three years on, and over 25,000 examples sold, Hyundai is upping their game with the 2021 i30 N. This year, they’ve added more power, some weight saving features, and a brand-new gearbox all in the name of providing improved performance.

Hyundai’s first-ever hot hatch—the i30 N is getting an upgrade very soon which adds, among other things, a dual clutch automatic.

Hyundai is off to hunt Honda Civics (at least in Europe) with the i30. The Korean carmaker’s compact car has been updated with a new design, better connectivity features, and an available 1.5-liter turbocharged engine.

The world took notice when Hyundai unveiled the i30 N two years ago. But while it was designed and built to take on the world’s best hot hatches, there were still a few skeptics. Well, Hyundai just went a step further and created this, the i30 N Project C.

Limited to just 600 units worldwide (sadly, all are destined for Europe), the i30 N Project C pushes the limits even further. By dabbling in carbon fiber reinforced plastic and slapping 19-inch forged OZ racing wheels at each corner, this car sheds 50 kilograms.



More than just a diet, Hyundai engineers worked to recalibrate the i30 N’s suspension. It drops 6 mm closer to the ground while new internal calibrations for the existing dampers, shorter higher stiffness springs, and rear cargo zone stiffer complete the changes.

Outside, the i30 N Project C is finished in a dark matte gray with the carbon fiber parts finished with an exposed, high-gloss weave. Inside, it has Alcantara highlights as well as Deep Orange highlights.



Power remains the same as the standard i30 N and with that, it has a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine making 275 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 353 Nm of torque at 1,450 to 4,700 rpm (378 Nm on over boost at 1,750 to 4,200 rpm). The sole transmission is a 6-speed manual. Maximum speed is at 250 km/h, while its 0-100 km/h time stands at 6 seconds flat. This makes it 0.1 seconds faster than its regular i30 N counterpart and about 0.2 seconds faster than the Golf GTI. The Subaru WRX is still faster though at 5.2 seconds.

UPDATE: Key specifications are now included (7/16).

Inspired by Hyundai Motorsport’s experience in the World Rally Championship (WRC), Hyundai Motor shows off the i30 N hot hatch—the brand’s first high-performance car under the N lineup. Built atop the standard i30, it’s been tweaked and massaged from the ground up to deliver maximum driving fun in both everyday situations as well as on the track.