i30 N Fastback doubles Hyundai’s hot hatch presence

COUPE-STYLED SUVs are growing in popularity, with the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi launching models such as the GLC Coupe, X4 and Q8 respectively.

What about passenger cars then, why don’t they get any of the sloping-roofline love?

Enter the Hyundai i30 Fastback, a sleekly styled version of the South Korean brand’s small hatchback, which is coming to Australia in top-tier N form.

From the front, the i30 N Fastback looks nearly identical to its hatchback sibling, meaning an aggressive bodykit with red-highlighted splitter and gaping air intakes.

Revealed at this year’s Paris motor show, the liftback version of the high-performance i30 N is blasting into local showrooms early in 2019 to double Hyundai’s hot-hatch presence.
 

While pricing is yet to be revealed for the i30 N Fastback, the regular five-door version kicks off at $39,990 before on-road costs, so expect to see the sleeker model carry a slightly higher pricetag.

The good news though, is that the Fastback shares identical mechanical components to the world-conquering i30 N, meaning Hyundai’s latest is poised to be just as terrific as the reigning hot-hatch champion.

Move to the rear though, and the i30 N Fastback features a sloping roofline, liftback tailgate and subtle bootlip spoiler.

But, the different body style also gifts the i30 N Fastback a point of difference from the usual hot-hatch fare with a liftback rear, sleeker silhouette and more aerodynamic profile.

Although the changes make the i30 N Fastback heavier than its five-door sibling, the former actually gains a 69-litre larger boot (450L) with the seats up and an extra 64L (1351L) with the second-row pews stowed.

For better or worse though, the differences between hatchback and Fastback really end there, and we’ll let you make up your own mind on the styling.

Power comes courtesy of a 202kW/353Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which sends outputs to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.

Now, for those not paying attention, this means the Fastback features the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 202kW of power at 6000rpm and 353Nm of torque from 1450-4700rpm, or 378Nm for 18 seconds thanks to an overboost feature.

Sending drive to the front wheels, the i30 N can shoot from zero to 100km/h in just 6.2 seconds, while the Fastback – with a slight weight disadvantage mind you – is a tenth of a second quicker.

Compared with some of the hot-hatch competition, such as the perennial Volkswagen Golf GTI and soon-to-be-replaced Ford Focus ST, the i30 N Fastback is quicker to the landmark triple digit figure by 0.2 and 0.3s respectively.

The i30 N Fastback sports the same interior as its hot hatch sibling, which means sports seats, thick-rimmed steering wheel and five-mode drive selector.

Just because the i30 N Fastback features tantalising performance, doesn’t mean it sacrifices any frugality either, as evidenced by its 7.0 litres per 100km fuel-consumption figure when tested in Europe.

Other mechanicals equipment largely carries over too, so expect to see the same unique softer suspension setup used in Australia’s i30 N for the Fastback.

Rumour is that Hyundai Australia’s tune has been so well received that the setup is going to be applied globally for the Fastback too. Go, Aussie!

Launched earlier this year, Hyundai’s first-ever i30 N hot hatch was an instant success and took out many comparisons against its contemporaries.

Inside, the Fastback is identical to the hatch, so ultra-comfy sports seats, fully loaded 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, leather steering wheel, sports pedals and N-specific graphics.

Most important of all though, is the N drive mode selector that lets drivers choose between Eco, Normal and Sport, as well as N and N Custom from a steering wheel-mounted button denoted by a chequered flag.

With almost every facet of the car adjustable – including steering, suspension, engine, exhaust and traction – N Custom serves up nearly 2000 configurations so owners are sure to find the perfect set-up for their needs.

Though the Veloster N is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market, Hyundai is keen to get the unorthodox four-door hatchback into local showrooms.

While the Fastback now gives Australia two of Hyundai’s go-fast N models, at this stage we might just have to settle for two-thirds of the trifecta as the Veloster N is still not confirmed for a local market launch.

Powered by the same 202kW/353Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine as its N siblings, the Veloster is – like the Fastback – more of a styling change over the i30 hot hatch rather than a mechanical departure.

From the looks of things then, Hyundai is cornering the hot-hatch market with a trio of high-performance small cars and, given how much we love the i30 N already, the Fastback and Veloster versions should be an absolute riot.

Protect your Hyundai. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.