Remember the i30 N? it seems Hyundai is now considering bringing the hot hatch back to life, at least according to a report from Autocar. Despite the company positioning its N division these days as more of a high-performance electric vehicle (EV) arm, Hyundai has stated that they are “not limiting ourselves to EVs”.
The Hyundai i30 N hot hatch was launched in 2017 to take on rivals like the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Although based on the third-generation i30, it was substantially reworked underneath. It featured upgraded suspension, a stiffened chassis, and an electronic limited-slip differential that helped it carve through corners like a hot knife through butter.
Under the bonnet sat a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder pushing out 275 hp and 353 Nm. Power was sent exclusively to the front wheels through either an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual. As Hyundai N shifted focus towards high-performance EVs, the hot hatch was eventually discontinued in 2024 along with its smaller i20 N sibling.
Today, Hyundai’s N division currently offers the Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N — both BEVs packing over 600 hp and plenty of character. Despite being fully electric, they’ve earned praise from the press and enthusiasts worldwide for their handling.
RELATED: The new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N DK Edition loves corners, not straights
But now, a source closely linked to Hyundai has told Autocar that the company has already begun development on a new i30 N powered by an internal combustion engine — likely with some form of hybrid assistance. This is in line with an earlier comment from Hyundai High-Performance Vehicle Strategist and N Brand Innovator, Joon Park, who said the N division is following the company’s multi-pathway approach by offering performance models with diverse powertrains.
Hyundai recently surpassed Volkswagen as the world’s second-most-profitable carmaker, sitting just behind Toyota. The company attributes much of this success to its multi-pathway strategy across brands like Kia and Genesis.
READ MORE: Hyundai leapfrogs Volkswagen to become world’s second-most profitable carmaker
This strong financial performance gives Hyundai the freedom to pursue more enthusiast-focused projects. Autocar’s report notes that the company is planning additional N models, stating: “Hyundai is committed to introducing seven new N models by 2030, with plans that include exploring a broad range of powertrains such as internal combustion engines, hybrid and electric vehicles.”
While Hyundai continues to produce a wide range of passenger cars with various powertrains, the N division remains mostly electric for now. A renewed push for ICE-powered performance models could further strengthen Hyundai’s reputation among enthusiasts and mainstream buyers alike.
ALSO READ: Hyundai lays out “most ambitious” growth plan – over 30 new EV, hybrid, and N models planned by 2030
