Hyundai might not be the first car maker that springs to mind when you think of hot hatches.
The South Korean car maker’s i30 N might just make you reconsider your preconceptions, however.
It will cost from £24,995, with an even faster version starting at £27,995 when it goes on sale later this year.
The i30 N Performance generates 271bhp a from its 2.0-litre engine and is capable of going from zero to 60mph in 5.9 seconds.
Power is sent to the front wheels via an electronic limited-slip differential and it sits on 19in alloy wheels.
Inside there’s leather and suede upholstery, while an active variable exhaust system that can be shouty or subdued when required is controlled via various drive modes.
An entry-level i30 N is also available, with prices starting from £24,995. It makes 247bhp and is three-tenths of a second slower to 60mph as a result. It also goes without the exhaust system or differential for a more laid-back approach to fast driving, while 18in alloy wheels differentiate it from the Performance model on the outside.
Standard equipment across both models includes LED lights all around, adaptive cruise control and keyless entry.
An eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system has satellite navigation as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functions.
There are six colours in the form of two greys, white, black and red, while an N-specific Performance Blue can also be specified.
This is the first time the South Korean manufacturer has built a performance car. The performance-focused division ‘N’ gets its name from the company’s R&D centre in Namyang in its home country, and its development centre at the Nurbugring in Germany.
All Hyundai i30 Ns come with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, five-year roadside assistance package and five-year annual health check.
jmckeown@thecourier.co.uk