The aggressive i30 N Project C may have surfaced
online a little earlier than its maker intended, but it has been unveiled in
full at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Hyundai is promoting the hot
hatch as “a lighter, lower, more aggressive version” of the regular i30 N
Performance. The ‘C’ in the name stands for ‘Area C’ at Hyundai’s Namyang
R&D high-performance test circuit, ‘carbon fiber’, and ‘center of gravity.’
It will be sold exclusively in Europe and be limited to just 600 units.
The i30 N Project C sports a 2.0-liter T-GDI turbo
four that’s pumping out 271 HP and 353 Nm of torque and up to 378 Nm when Overboost is enabled between 1750 rpm and 4200 rpm.
Essentially, it is the same lump found in the regular i30 N with the
Performance Package.
The first major difference between the standard
model and the Project C is the weight. Hyundai started by developing a new
front splitter, rear diffuser, bonnet and N-branded side skirts from carbon
fiber reinforced plastic. In addition, the i30 N Project C comes standard with
forged OZ Racing 19-inch wheels that save 22 kg. Another key
weight-saving measure is the presence of front bucket seats with carbon fiber
reinforced plastic backings. All this contribute to the the Project C being 50
kg lighter than the i30 N hatchback.
Elsewhere, Hyundai has also lowered the vehicle’s
ride height by 6 mm and lowered the center of gravity effectively
by 8.8 mm thanks to new internal calibrations for the i30 N
dampers and shorter higher-stiffness springs. Tuning has been done to the
various driving modes, with both the Sport and N providing greater feedback
through the wheel.
A peek inside reveals a handful of small details to
distinguished the i30 N Project C from lesser variants. Most notably, the light
blue accents of the standard car have been replaced by Deep Orange parts
including the Drive Mode and N-mode thumb paddles on the steering wheel. There
is also a limited-edition badge on the passenger side that marks the number of
each of the 600 cars that will be made.
Hyundai hasn’t announced pricing just yet, but dis
say that deliveries will commence in select European markets later this year.
