Hyundai has been on an absolute roll in recent years and the i20 N looks good enough to give the Ford Fiesta ST a fright. Unveiled last month and tested here in prototype guise, the Hyundai i20 N follows in the footsteps of the i30 N and features a 1.6-liter turbocharged GDi engine coupled to a six-speed manual transmission powering the front wheels. All up, the new hot hatch has 201 HP and 275 Nm of torque and can hit 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and continue through to a 230 km/h top speed.
While there are other Hyundai models
rocking the same basic 1.6-liter engine, the i20 N’s unit includes a bespoke
turbocharger and intercooler system. It also features Continuously Variable
Valve Duration (CVVD) technology and revs through to 6,500 rpm.
Much like the i30 N, the i20 N is focused
primarily on handling, not necessarily straight-line performance. As such, it
includes a mechanical limited-slip differential. Hyundai has also reinforced
the chassis at 12 different points, including the front domes and knuckles.
There is also a new sway bar, underbody bracing, custom springs, and new shock
absorbers.
