Hyundai is preparing to revive one of its most celebrated performance models, the i30 N, marking a major shift in strategy as the brand rebalances its N division between electrification and internal combustion performance. According to Autocar, Hyundai has begun work on an all-new i30 N that is expected to feature a hybridised combustion engine, signaling the company’s continued commitment to diverse powertrains even as Europe moves toward stricter emissions regulations.
A Legacy Reignited: The Original i30 N
Launched in 2017, the first-generation Hyundai i30 N quickly earned a reputation as a serious hot hatch contender. Positioned directly against the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the original model was far more than an upgraded i30. It featured:
- A significantly stiffer chassis
- An electronic limited-slip differential
- A 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing up to 276 bhp
This engineering-first approach established Hyundai’s N division as a genuine performance brand. But despite its popularity, Hyundai discontinued both the i30 N and i20 N in 2024 as it shifted focus toward next-generation high-performance EVs for the European market.
Hyundai N Today: A Performance EV Powerhouse
Hyundai’s current N lineup consists solely of the IONIQ 5 N and IONIQ 6 N, both pure electric vehicles generating more than 600 bhp. These models anchor Hyundai’s move toward a zero-emissions future ahead of the 2035 European combustion ban.
However, as Autocar reports, the N division is far from abandoning internal combustion entirely.
New i30 N Confirmed Internally: Hybrid Power Likely
A source speaking to Autocar revealed that development has already begun on a new i30 N powered by a combustion engine, most likely supported by hybrid technology.
N division boss Joon Park reinforced this direction, telling Autocar earlier this year that Hyundai’s performance future is not limited to EVs. He noted that while the brand is progressing in electrification, it will continue offering a diverse powertrain portfolio.
“There is a perception from the media and our fans that Hyundai N is only focusing on the EV world, which is not true. We are not limiting ourselves to EVs,” Park said.
Although final specifications remain undisclosed, early expectations suggest the new model could use an uprated version of the standard i30’s 1.5-litre hybrid drivetrain. However, Autocar reports that Hyundai may instead introduce an entirely new hybrid-supported combustion engine.
Prototype Testing Hints at a New High-Performance Engine
Supporting this possibility, Hyundai recently confirmed that it is testing a new combustion engine using an extreme Veloster-based prototype. Engineers described the unit as high-revving and high-performance, and in the test mule, it is mounted mid-chassis.
While this configuration will not necessarily carry over to the final i30 N, it demonstrates Hyundai’s commitment to developing a new-generation ICE platform for performance models. Autocar notes that Toyota followed a similar approach when developing its upcoming 2.0-litre GR engine.
Hyundai’s engineers say the goal is to mass produce a combustion engine that meets modern performance expectations, suggesting potential for a significant-volume sports model on the horizon.
Facelifted i30 Points to a 2026–2027 Launch Window
Autocar’s spy photographers recently captured images of Hyundai preparing the third facelift for the third-generation i30, expected to be revealed in the coming year. This strongly indicates that the upcoming i30 N will be built on that updated platform.
