Hyundai i30 Sedan N 2022 arrives in Australia priced from $49,000

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The Hyundai i30 Sedan N is now on sale in Australia bringing N performance to a sleek sedan body style with a starting price of $49,000 before on-road costs. 

The i30 Sedan N will be available in a single ‘Premium’ grade and will sit alongside the facelifted i30 N hatch in the range alongside the Kona N small SUV and the smaller i20 N hot hatch.

Competing against established and respected nameplates such as the Skoda Octavia RS, Subaru WRX and the Volkswagen Golf GTI – the i30 Sedan N promises to be a well-rounded performer.

Engine and drivetrain 

The i30 Sedan N is powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder used in the hatchback i30 N and Kona N – but produces 206kW of power and 392Nm of torque. 

An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is fitted as standard on the i30 Sedan N, however a six-speed manual is available as a no-cost option, with both sending power to the front wheels.

A larger engine bay has allowed for a new airbox design that is not featured on other N models, providing better airflow and improved engine response. 

With that power, the i30 Sedan N is able to reach a maximum speed of 250km/h and can perform the 0-100km/h sprint in just 5.3 seconds for the automatic and 5.8 seconds for the manual. 

The i30 Sedan N is fitted with a variable active exhaust system which can be altered to suit the needs of the driver and their neighbours.

To complement the active exhaust system, Hyundai has fitted an N Sound Equaliser which pipes artificial noise through the cabin via the speakers. 

There are preset sound profiles that can be played throughout the car including those of Hyundai motorsport greats in the World Rally Championship. 

Performance and handling 

The i30 Sedan N has three shift settings with the dual-clutch gearbox, the first of which is the N Grin Shift mode which provides ‘overboost’ for 20 seconds, perfect for overtaking or track work. 

Hyundai says the DCT-only N Power Shift gives snappy gear changes similar to the sensation experienced with a manual transmission vehicle while N Track Sense can automatically recognise when the i30 Sedan N is on track and shift the car’s parameters to suit the environment. 

Those who opt for the six-speed manual transmission option will also enjoy the automatic rev matching function that can be turned on and off to suit the needs of the driver. 

Featuring for the first time on the i30 Sedan N is an integrated drive axle (IDA) which is a flow on technology from WRC, according to Hyundai. The aim of this tech is to increase rigidity in the front end while reducing weight. 

Badged as the Elantra N in other markets, the i30 Sedan N does not ride on the same platform as the regular i30 N hatch and is instead built upon the newer K6 platform. Chasing Cars found that the sedan was more settled and adjustable than its hatchback counterpart when it tested the i30 Sedan N-Line recently. 

The i30 Sedan N is fitted with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential as standard that helps to reduce understeer and improve mid-corner grip. 

Electronic dampers are also fitmented as standard and have been specifically tuned for Australian roads, providing better ride for our average roads. 

Exterior design

The i30 Sedan N won’t look like any regular i30 Sedan thanks to a new exterior body kit that focuses on making the car look as sporty and aggressive as possible. 

Bespoke 19-inch wheels with N branded brake calipers can be found at each corner, with a blacked-out front grille, black mirror caps and rear spoiler all creating a mean looking sedan.

Large dual exhaust tips and N-branded side skirts complete the exterior look.  

What’s on the inside? 

There is plenty of N branding inside, too, with seats, steering wheel, driver display and scuff plates all featuring the N logo.

Interior highlights include a large curved screen featuring a 10.25-inch navigation touchscreen along with a 10.25-inch LCD driving instrument cluster.

The sports seats are trimmed in soft black leather and ambient lighting also features throughout the cabin. 

Safety 

Along with six airbags, the Hyundai i30 Sedan N has an array of safety features as part of its Smart Sense system. 

These include blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, driver attention warning, forward collision avoidance assist, high beam assist, lane following assist, lane keep assist, rear occupant alert and safe exit warning. All are standard on the i30 Sedan N. 

Warranty and Service 

Hyundai offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with non-competitive track driving also covered. 

Servicing is set at $355 each year for the first five years with Hyundai’s Lifetime service plan.