Here comes Hyundai with the i20 N, another hot hatch they're not bringing to murrica

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein) 10/22/2020 at 13:31 • Filed to: None

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Oh look, Hyundai !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! another N model that’s a more useful body shape than the Veloster. It’s not coming to the US. But let’s talk about it anyway! The i20 is related to the Accent, but in more of a euro vibe, being a hatchback, and it competes against cars like the VW Polo and Ford Fiesta. The i20 N is now coming for the hot versions of those cars.

There are the usual hot hatch accoutrements, namely a new version of Hyundai’s 1.6 liter turbo 4, rated at 204 PS and 275 Nm. These translate to 201 hp and 203 lb/ft, which is the same power as the current 1.6T in cars like the Veloster Turbo and Forte GT, but that torque is a bump up from the current 195 lb/ft rating.

Hyundai stiffens & reinforces the body, the suspension geometry is revised with stiffer shocks (not adaptive unfortunately), springs & sway bars. The steering ratio is quicker, the front brakes are enlarged, and the wheels are bigger with sticky summer tires. There are many performance drive modes, auto rev matching, and launch control. Custom mode lets you individually adjust throttle response, stability control , exhaust & steering weight. The 6-speed manual transmission is beefed up. There are the usual N red accented aero bits. A mechanical helical gearset LSD (not an eLSD like the 2.0 liter N cars) is an option. Weight is listed at 1190 kg / 2618 lbs.

Interior tech is strong with what Hyundai calls a Performance Driving Data System that saves and displays information on power, torque & turbo boost, plus lap and acceleration timers. There’s an available 10.25" infotainment screen, which looks kinda huge in this small of a car. The seats are sporty and bolstery looking.

So here we have a perfectly usable mini little 5 door hot hatch with impressively light weight and enough power for that weight, that will never make it to the states. I like these pint-size hot hatches. It’s still kind of amazing we got the Fiesta ST here at all. It now seems like a product of a completely different era of the US car market, even though it’s not even that old.

At least we have the N versions of the Elantra & Kona to look forward to. The Veloster N is all well and good but personally I am not a huge fan of the Veloster’s bad rear visibility, claustrophobic interior, and lack of equipment like a sunroof and heated seats. I didn’t love the Veloster N’s shifter or steering feel, but those mechanical bits in a more usable package (cough cough, i30 N, cough) would be an interesting option.

Hotted up compacts are probably a dying segment in ‘murrica, but the more options we have, the merrier.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 13:33

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Bummer.

Khalbali > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 13:55

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I haven’t been a big fan of hyundai’s recent styling the last couple years but I think it really works here, I’d really want one if it were an option. But I liked the 2017-18 elantra so much more than the 2019 facelift, the veloster looks good but don’t really like the new elantra or sonata, the k5 is way better looking to me. Also my wife is super excited to try your tofu ricotta so thanks! We're newer 99%ish vegans so if you have any other good ideas we'd love to try them too!

MUSASHI66 > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 14:06

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I always like special versions of regular cars - I owned a Taurus SHO, Civic Si, Abarth 500 convertible, WRX, Abarth 500 hatchback - and this would seems like it would be a fun, adult version of the 500. However, specs aren’t enough to determine if a car is special, and if I’d form a connection with it. Moot point I guess, as I’ll be living in the USA for at least 15 more years, and chances of this making it over the pond are slim. 

Svend > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 14:07

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That does look nice. I like how the bonnet shut and bumper to front wing gaps line up and the fuel filler door works into the rear light cluster, etc...

I’m honestly not sure who’d go for this over the other sporty cars in the segment.

Like the VW Polo GTi,

Just looked at the Hyundai i30 N (fastback and hatchback), I didn’t know it only comes in a 270bhp, 2.0 litre manual. No auto or diesel. Not very common in this day and age.

It’s a shame they no longer do the i40 (saloon or estate), an i40 N estate would be interesting.

Textured Soy Protein > Svend 10/22/2020 at 14:16

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The i30 N and Veloster N are now available with a DCT for 2021.

The i40 is the Elantra in the states . They just made a new saloon/sedan. This is the N Line version, full N version will be coming later.

flatisflat > MUSASHI66 10/22/2020 at 14:17

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It doesn’t even look like we get the updated 2021-styling of the i20 for our USDM 2021 Accent per the Hyundai USA website (and of course, only the sedan, not the hatchback.). We at least have the updated Elantra (i.e. i30), but, also, sedan-only.

All that said, I believe there are murmurings of a Tucson N-Line coming to the States, so there’s ....that...

Textured Soy Protein > MUSASHI66 10/22/2020 at 14:19

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Yep specs are only part of the puzzle. I just bought a Civic Si sedan after test driving a Veloster N. The numbers are higher on the N but the Si has better seats, steering feel, damping, and shifter, and is immensely more practical. If the upcoming Elantra N existed where the practicality were roughly equivalent, it’d be a harder decision for me. So far the Elantra N Line is coming this fall/winter, but it has no adaptive dampers or LSD like the Si and the full-N cars.

Textured Soy Protein > flatisflat 10/22/2020 at 14:22

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Full-N versions of the Elantra & Kona are on the way. 

Svend > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 14:26

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The Elantra is the I30 here in the U.K. and Australia .

The i40 is no longer on the Hyundai U.K. website.

The i30 N 8 speed auto is coming out next year but will be more expensive.

Really not sure who that’s aimed at.   

nermal > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 14:30

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Makes sense that it’s not coming to the US since they don’t import  the regular i20, and surely there isn’t enough demand anyways. Their new SUVs are really, really good though. Don’t expect that to change anytime soon, even if gas prices double. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 14:34

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Not a bad looking hot hatch. 

Textured Soy Protein > Svend 10/22/2020 at 14:57

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The i40 styling mixed me up. It looks very much like our Elantra from a couple generations ago but apparently it’s based on the same platform as the Sonata.

The i30 5-door is the Elantra GT here. But we only get the N Line, not the full N.

The i30 N DCT would be a pretty close match to the Golf R DSG.

Tripper > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 15:03

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That blue guy is the best looking Hyundai to date.

Textured Soy Protein > Svend 10/22/2020 at 15:11

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Also as for the i20 N, it has an available helical gearset LSD, like the Quaife unit in the Fiesta ST . The Polo GTI & Ibiza Cupra only have XDS which proactively applies the brake to an un-loaded front wheel but the differential itself is open. And it looks like there are no more Peugeot 208 GTi or Renault Clio RS at the moment. 

Textured Soy Protein > Tripper 10/22/2020 at 15:14

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Not sure which blue Hyundai pic you’re referring to (thanks kinja!) - the new Elantra sedan, or the i30 / Elantra GT?

The new Elantra is pretty alright looking but the fake C-pillar “ windows” with ridges in them (to maybe make them look like vents?) bug me.

MUSASHI66 > flatisflat 10/22/2020 at 15:16

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Eh, it is a little SUV and it won’t be a manual, so I personally don’t care. I don’t understand companies spending so much extra money developing same model cars differently for US and EU. 

MUSASHI66 > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 15:18

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Civic Si was on my list of cars, but there was one new sedan within 200. miles from me, and they didn’t reply to my inquiry. I am still very happy with my Toad.

MrSnrub > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 15:18

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Interesting, I find the styling on the busy side but it’s growing on me . Too bad we’re not getting it in the US; to be honest I wonder if the Accent is long for this world these days.

Textured Soy Protein > MUSASHI66 10/22/2020 at 15:25

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I think I got one of the last few new 2020 Si’s. Not sure. I wanted a blue one with no front plate screwed into the front bumper. At the time I was shopping back in early sept, the second-closest Honda dealer to me had a blue sedan in stock, but with the front plate bracket already mounted, and another in transit. I drove the one they had and put a deposit on the in-transit one to make sure no front plate bracket or any other dealer tacked-on crap made it onto the car. 

Textured Soy Protein > MrSnrub 10/22/2020 at 15:26

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Hyundai USA has a not-updated 2021 Accent listed on its site so it’s still here...for now. I have a feeling the Venue is going to steal a lot of Accent sales, but it starts at $18,750 vs $15,395 for the A ccent.

Jb boin > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 15:30

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There won’t be another 208 GTi or Clio RS, there might be electric or hybrid versions but it’s not sure.

The Ibiza Cupra is not a thing anymore and the Cupra Ibiza won’t exist, the Polo GTi is not a thing anymore in France and it seems that only cars already made are still sold on the German VW website (no configurator).

So the only remaining “hot hatch” of this category is the Mini Cooper S JCW.

ps: forgot the Fiesta ST ! and also the 500 Abarth and the A1 40 TFSI (200hp) which is at the right power level but not a specific sporty version .

Tripper > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 15:37

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feather-throttle-not-hair > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 15:46

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I’m definitely into it. Looks sharp. Is light, comes with a stick. Sure, i’m a RWD die-hard, but good cars are rare enough that we all have to make exceptions to our rules from time to time.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 15:48

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Also, while I’m neither here nor there Civic’s looks, it doesn’t make me cringe when I look at it, like the Veloster does.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Svend 10/22/2020 at 15:51

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Don’t forget you can get the i30N as a weird 4-door coupe!

I go back and forth on whether i’m charmed by this weirdness or just annoyed, but it’s a moot point as there are none coming to America. Mechanically very cool regardless though....

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/22/2020 at 16:24

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Wait, why isn’t that a hatchback like the BMW Gran Coupes?

Textured Soy Protein > Tripper 10/22/2020 at 16:26

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Welp the only 5-door N we’re getting here is going to be the Kona N. Here’s the facelifted Kona N Line for reference.

Textured Soy Protein > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/22/2020 at 16:29

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The i30 Fastback is a hatch.

Svend > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 16:45

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I the U.K. at least people tend to stick with what they know like Ford Fiesta ST , Vauxhall (no longer a Corsa VXR), Renault (unlikely to be another Clio RS), Peugeot (unlikely to be another 208 whatever), Seat (unlikely to be another Leon Cupra or Ibiza), etc... But even with may of these former well know hot hatch little cars going, Ford will likely take a bigger share and some will move to hybrids and few will look towards Hyundai.

Like when Ford gave us the Probe and the Cougar, people didn’t associate Ford with coupes, etc... so they didn’t do well. Ford gave some great reduction s on price and incentives to buy.

Hyundai is tryin g to fill a void that other marques are leaving, but they are leaving to hybrid or electrify their cars. 

MUSASHI66 > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 16:54

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Lucky bastard... CO requires front plates. My plate holder is massive, I might forego and just install the plate on the bumper directly, maybe with  one of those silicone plate cases.

Svend > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/22/2020 at 17:02

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We get the Hyundai i30 in 5 door hatchback,

5 door liftback (aka Fastback), I guess what you call a ‘4 door coupe’.

and 5 door estate.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 17:05

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Australia doesn’t take the i20 but we are getting the i20N to accompany the two i30N models . Hyundai Oz also dropped the Accent in favour of the Venue.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2020 at 17:19

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Okay, now that makes sense.

Textured Soy Protein > MUSASHI66 10/22/2020 at 17:20

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Maryland also requires a front plate but I don’t care, gotta keep that front end pristine. Cops around the DC area where I am generally don’t give a shit. If anything I might get a tow hook mounted plate holder to temporarily run a front plate, for trips to certain areas where I know the cops are more likely to hassle me.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/it-only-took-7-years-but-i-finally-got-hassled-by-a-co-1844700267

feather-throttle-not-hair > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/22/2020 at 19:54

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I think it is a hatcback? I guess i didn’t realize the BMW GC’s were hatches as well.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/22/2020 at 23:25

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It's the only reason they exist. They're really lift back sedans like the Mazda6 hatch more than a proper hatch. 

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Textured Soy Protein 10/23/2020 at 11:32

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Isn’t the platform and drivetrain the same as the Veloster though?

Textured Soy Protein > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 10/23/2020 at 12:16

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The original Veloster was on the same platform as the Accent & i20. The 2nd gen Veloster is now on the Elantra/i30/etc platform.

The i20 N has a 1.6T motor similar to the N Line or other entry-level sporty variants of the cars on the Elantra/Veloster/ etc platform. It has a twist beam rear suspension.

The Veloster N & i30 N have a 2.0T motor and multilink rear suspension. 

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Textured Soy Protein 10/23/2020 at 12:19

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Gotcha. So the i20 is like the Fiesta size and the i30 is the Focus size. Correct?

Textured Soy Protein > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 10/23/2020 at 12:30

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Yes, exactly.

I have no experience with the original Veloster but I have tried an N. The Veloster is most compromised vs other bigger cars on the same platform in overall roominess, and visibility.

I’m 5'11" and I was able to sit behind myself while just barely not touching the back of the front seat with my knees. Headroom was similarly just good enough. All the back windows are very small though, it’s pretty claustrophobic in there.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/23/2020 at 13:32

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Huh, I thought that was the GT versions, not the GC....

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/23/2020 at 13:42

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Oh, my bad. I got those mixed up.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/23/2020 at 14:19

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Well, in our defense :

1. BMW has way way way too many dumb niche models.

2. Those GC’s are weird enough looking that them being hatches are totally believable.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/23/2020 at 14:22

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Honestly have no idea why BMW offers so many versions of the exact same thing.