Hyundai i30 N versus Volkswagen Golf GTI

Various concept cars and involvement in the World Rally Championship have helped Hyundai to build awareness of its nascent 'N' performance sub-brand. Now the time has come to launch a showroom model.

The new i30 N – which is due to arrive at Hyundai's European dealers before the end of this year – certainly boasts an impressive specification. Standard equipment includes a rev matching device for smoother downshifts, launch control and electronically-controlled variable damping.

Furthermore, there's a choice of Normal, Sport, Eco, N and Custom driving modes. These determine numerous settings such as steering feel, throttle response and electronic stability control intervention.

Power is provided by a 2.0 litre, four-cylinder, Theta T-GDI turbocharged petrol engine that'll be offered with two different outputs. Just like the Volkswagen Golf GTI, in other words.

Indeed, judging by the data below, Hyundai appears to have used the well established (and recently updated) German hot hatch as a benchmark for the i30 N.

Model	Hyundai i30 N	Volkswagen Golf GTI
Engine	2.0 litre turbo petrol	2.0 litre turbo petrol
Transmission	6-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive	6-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive
Power	246 bhp (184 kW / 250 PS)	226 bhp (169 kW / 230 PS)
Torque	353 Nm (260 lb/ft)	350 Nm (258 lb/ft)
0-62 mph	6.4 secs	6.4 secs
Top speed	155 mph (250 km/h)	155 mph (250 km/h)

Model	Hyundai i30 N with Performance Package	Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance
Engine	2.0 litre turbo petrol	2.0 litre turbo petrol
Transmission	6-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive, electronic limited-slip differential	6-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive, mechanical limited-slip differential
Power	271 bhp (202 kW / 275 PS)	241 bhp (180 kW / 245 PS)
Torque	353 Nm (260 lb/ft)	370 Nm (273 lb/ft)
0-62 mph	6.1 secs	6.2 secs
Top speed	155 mph (250 km/h)	155 mph (250 km/h)

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