Hyundai i30 N vs the rest of Malaysia’s hot hatchbacks



Word is that the new Hyundai i30 N is coming to Malaysia to spice up the hot hatch scene and it got us thinking; on paper at least, does it have what it takes to wrestle some attention from the likes of Volkswagen, Honda and Renault?

Unless it can be priced to temptation, it’s going to be a rather tall order for the new kid on the block to fit in with the more established cool kids like the Golf and the Megane R.S.

The i30 N makes a maximum of 279 hp with the Performance Package (250 hp as standard) and 353 Nm of torque from a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder paired to a 6-speed manual transmission.

0 to 100 km/h is over in 6.1 seconds with the Performance Package (6.3 seconds without) and top speed, like everyone else, is limited to 250 km/h. Respectable figures but here’s how it’ll stack up against its rivals when they appear in its rear view mirror.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Output: 227 hp & 350 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 6.4 seconds

Possibly my most favourite among all the other hatchbacks in Malaysia, the Mk 7.5 Golf GTI we reviewed offers a duality – both as a practical hatchback and a weekend B-road carver – that not many can match.

It’s also a closer rival to the i30 N than the monstrous Golf R which would annihilate the i30N with 290 and 380 Nm and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.1 seconds.

FK8 Honda Civic Type R

Output: 310 hp & 400 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 5.8 seconds

GC Mah had all the spoils with this so there’s really no saying how the Civic expresses itself as a proper Type R.

It may proven itself to be a very very quick FWD car, but I believe most would be inclined to agree that the new FK8 generation model, with its turbocharged engine and lack of “pranggg”, is just a very accomplished and very powerful Civic; not a Type R.

Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup

Output: 280 hp & 390 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 5.8 seconds

Launched just recently, the Megane R.S. 280 Cup on paper at least, is neck and neck with the Civic Type R in terms of acceleration and is marginally quicker (5.8 seconds vs 6.1 seconds) than the i30 N even though their output aren’t significantly different.

Like the rest of its rivals, the new Megane is now just as practical with four-doors and plenty more leg room, available from RM3,999 through Renault’s Subscription Plan.

Peugeot 308 GTi

Output: 270 hp & 330 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 6 seconds

Unlike the rest which are powered by either 1.8- or 2.0-litre engines, the 308 GTi still packs a heroic punch from a 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder. It won’t run rings around the Megane R.S nor the Civic Type R but is probably the closest rival to the i30 N in terms of acceleration.

Mercedes-AMG A45

Output: 381 hp & 475 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 4.2 seconds

No contest.