Hyundai Is Making An i30 N Fastback, And We've Just Driven It

With the Hyundai i30 N Fastback's revised suspension setup making its way to the regular hatch soon, we took a drive in a prototype to see how the changes shape up
Hyundai Is Making An i30 N Fastback, And We've Just Driven It

We like ‘our’ Hyundai i30 N long-term test car very much. It looks good, it’s enormously fast, and even against established hot hatch contenders, it has a tendency to come out on top. But as we’ve said before, it’s not perfect, and one of our major complaints is the ride.

However, the i30 N’s overly-committed suspension setup is due for a change, starting with the new Fastback version. Hyundai’s engineers have worked hard to dial out some of the car’s understeer by reducing the front spring rate and the front stabiliser bar thickness, while also fettling the adaptive dampers, which has the effect of improving the ride in ‘Normal’ mode. And thankfully, this new setup - which also includes a retuned adaptive damper control unit and revised damper internals - is making its way onto the regular five-door hatch.

But has it done the trick? Thanks to a drive in a prototype version of the i30 N Fastback at Millbrook Proving Ground, we have some idea.

Hyundai Is Making An i30 N Fastback, And We've Just Driven It

Our drive at Millbrook Proving Grounds was quite short and in shockingly wet conditions, so I couldn’t push the car quite as much as I’d have liked, but handily, I was able to try it back-to-back with the regular hatchback. And it feels…very similar. But that’s to be expected - suspension tweaks aside it’s largely the same underneath, with a 271bhp inline-four turbo under the bonnet (a 247bhp entry-level version will be available too) feeding its power to the front wheels via a Hyundai-developed electronically-controlled limited-slip differential. But there definitely is just a little more give to the suspension in ‘Normal’ mode than there was before. It’s certainly much more gentle on the rebound stroke.

The result is a car that’s not just more comfortable, but also one that feels marginally less nervous. The change isn’t dramatic, but certainly welcome. The Sport+ suspension setting meanwhile - automatically turned on when you switch to N mode - remains brutally firm and not a whole load of use away from a race track.

Hyundai Is Making An i30 N Fastback, And We've Just Driven It

Even in the wet, it’s clear the Fastback has retained the standard i30 N’s mega front end, and it’s sharp steering which is hyper-aggressive off-centre. Sport+ steering remains - as with the Sport+ damper setting - to be avoided, since it’s just too heavy. Leave those two elements in ‘Normal’ mode, turn everything else up, and you’re going to have a good time.

We wouldn’t put off buying a current-spec i30 N to wait for the changes to be carried over to the hatchback, but from what we can see, they do make for a more complete hot hatch. As for the Fastback, we can’t wait to see it without its camo - something we’ll be able to do when the car makes its public debut at the Paris Motor Show this October.

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Comments

Chewbacca_buddy (McLaren squad)(VW GTI Clubsport)(McLaren 60

I want all the underpinnings and stuff from the i30N and put into an Elantra so that we can get something like that in the States

08/13/2018 - 11:45 |
40 | 0

I wouldn’t get ur hopes up with the suv craze that’s going on ☹️

08/13/2018 - 12:16 |
0 | 0

Imo the veloster you have in the states looks much better

08/13/2018 - 12:18 |
16 | 2

I have secrets to tell about the Elantra GT Sport… stay tuned (hint hint)

08/13/2018 - 14:41 |
4 | 0

Nah, i30n underpinnings and engine in the accent

08/13/2018 - 20:18 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Sedans and hatches…gud combo

08/13/2018 - 11:47 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Hyundai fastback……like a Veloster?

08/13/2018 - 11:55 |
0 | 0
Ben Anderson 1

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

No. Veloster is just a standard hatchback. “Fastback” is just fancy marketing for a saloon.

08/13/2018 - 14:31 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

more like i30 liftback

08/13/2018 - 19:51 |
0 | 0
Kyubi22B

Hyundai I30 N: Sup bro!
Hyundai I30 N fastback: Whats up!

Those to cars together look so cute!!!!

08/13/2018 - 23:54 |
0 | 2
5:19.55

It looks like a weird thing for the euro market to be honest. It is probably the camo wrap, but I can’t see how it will blend in the European car world. The boot will probably be smaller than the hatch one but it could get better room for rear passengers. It might end up looking like a modern mondeo st220 though, crazy but easy to live with and explain to your coworkers

08/14/2018 - 00:50 |
0 | 0
ZachCoulter09

It looks like they took the original and stepped on it.

08/17/2018 - 08:01 |
0 | 0