Hyundai’s N division shifts gears

Hyundai’s N division shifts gears

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In recent years, the hot hatch has been under siege, especially in South Africa, where most manufacturers have discontinued what we once described as the ultimate hot hatches. ‍

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If you follow the news, you will recall the Ford Fiesta ST alongside its Focus ST stablemate, the formidable Renault Clio R.S., as well as the Opel Astra OPC, and not forgetting the once-superb Mazda 3 MPS. They are all gone. 

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While the EV threat is closing in, we still have the Volkswagen GTI, with its Polo GTI sibling, the Renault Megane R.S. (also nearing the end), the Honda Civic Type R, and, of late, the Toyota GR Yaris and GR Corolla are still hanging in there. Hyundai, on the other hand, joined the competition in 2017 when it introduced the i30 N hatchback, which featured a stunning 6-speed manual transmission with rev-matching technology plus a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 202kW and 353Nm. It was brilliant, and it’s still a car that holds a special place in the hearts of many fanatics, including yours truly. 

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In 2021, Hyundai Europe introduced the i20 N, and for the local market, it was a forbidden fruit of note. Instead, we only received the i20 N Line, which is pretty much what the Polo R Line is to the VW brand. Pity. Why only that? You ask. A report states that a primary reason SA never received the i20 N is that the SA-spec is sourced from India while the full-blown i20 N comes from a factory in Europe, and bringing it here would have led to different taxation and duties. 

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In 2022, Hyundai introduced the refreshed i30 N, which also saw the introduction of an 8-speed DCT transmission and added oomph to the 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine. Massaged to develop 206kW and 392Nm, the refreshed i30 N quickly became a showstopper even at our 2022 Speed Week installment. 

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Though we miss the nostalgia of the driver engagement that comes with paddling a stick shift, the automatic was created so that the hot hatch can appeal to a broader spectrum of customers. Besides the cracks and pops from the dual exhaust tips, I can think of very few cars on sale today that give you as much enjoyment as the i30 N.  

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Just last week, Hyundai in Europe made an announcement, and that came as a shock. It says that it is ceasing production of the i30 N and i20 N models as the N division brand transitions to become an EV high-performance marque. In the statement sent to a UK Motoring publication, it reads, “Production of the ICE N models has ceased for the European market starting from February, in line with our commitment to offering a zero-tailpipe-emission line-up to our customers by 2035 and to operating 100% carbon neutrally by 2045. Going forward in Europe, Hyundai is developing the Hyundai N as a pioneer of high-performance EVs.”

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I know what you are thinking. Will this affect the South African market? While we share your curiosity, we reached out to Hyundai SA for a comment, and while the manufacturer couldn’t provide a clear answer to that, it stated that it has enough stock of the i30 N and Kona N to last until the end of the year. The brand also hopes to branch off its supply from the Australian market; however, it remains unclear if the discontinuation of the duo will have an impact on the local market. We hope not, well, for the foreseeable future, at least. 

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Overall, this is difficult news to bear, as enthusiasts are well aware of how far the N brand has come in producing vehicles that have sparked significant public interest. 

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This development obviously begs an important question: which hot hatch will be the next to be discontinued among those currently on the market besides the Megane R.S. that's moving aside for Alpine to carry the baton? As we navigate the automotive industry's dynamic developments, this question remains unanswered for the time being.

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