Hyundai’s i30 Sedan N coming in 2021

New machine channels the world of gaming by ranking drivers against each other following track day racing experiences.

Hyundai has locked in details surrounding its next high-performance machine.

The new i30 Sedan N will reach local showrooms in the last quarter of 2021, giving customers an fresh option for turbocharged fun.

Based on the new Hyundai i30 Sedan sold overseas as the Elantra, the new machine has the same fundamental engine and hardware as the i30 N DCT, as well as the high-riding Kona N crossover.

The sedan joins i30 N models based on the brand’s hatch and fastback.

That means it gets a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 206kW and 392Nm, enough to reach 100km/h in 5.3 seconds before marching on to a top speed of 250km/h.

Like its hatchback cousin, the sedan benefits from an aggressive body kit, rear-wing and sharp looking alloys.

Hyundai’s latest N model has sports seats and paddle shifters.

The new model substitutes Pirelli P-Zero tyres in favour of wider Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber, and its 360mm front brakes come with more aggressive pads for track work.

Extra bracing helps stiffen the four-door’s body shell, and a rally-derived front end combining the drive shaft, wheel hub and bearing improves cornering precision.

The model’s bold front end styling is inspired by racing helmets.

Promising that the car will retain the popping exhaust note of previous efforts, Hyundai says the sedan also comes with customisable fake engine noise derived from touring car racers.

Electronic changes include a new dashboard app with a lap timer for circuit use.

Hyundai says Korean customers can access lap data from other drivers, and that the app will rank them in order of performance in a similar fashion to records in video games.

Hyundai expects many i30 Sedan N customers to try out their car’s performance on track.

Full Australian prices and specifications have not been confirmed for the model, which is likely to cost about $50,000 here.

Originally published as Hyundai’s i30 Sedan N coming in 2021