Hyundai has unleashed the hot version of the 3rd generation i20 — the i20 N. In case you’re wondering, the one we saw in September was the i20 N Line, the one which only had a cosmetic surgery. The real hot one is this one right here, the “corner rascal” one as Hyundai likes to categorize them.
Obviously, the i20 N sports an even more aggressive styling compared to the N Line with red accents throughout. While the rear bumper looks similar to that of the N Line, it has got diffuser-like fins. Also, don’t miss that WRC-inspired roof spoiler. The hot hatch rides on 18-inch grey matte-finished alloy wheels that reveal N-branded red calipers behind. The wheels are wrapped with Pirelli P-Zero tyres with “HN” mark (for Hyundai N). The front discs are 40 mm larger than those of the regular i20.
As mentioned, the i20 N is not just a cosmetic surgery. Hyundai says that the chassis has been reinforced at 12 different points to ensure smoother handling and usability on any road and in all weather conditions. This includes a redesigned undercover and an additional bracket.
The suspension features reinforced front domes and knuckles with adjusted geometry. This includes increased camber for better traction and five fixation points for the wheel as well as a new anti-roll bar, new springs and shock absorbers for maximum driving fun, Hyundai said. Also, the steering ratio has been reduced from regular i20’s 12.4 to 12.0 for a more direct and precise steering response.
Unlike the red accents in the N Line, the cabin of the i20 N features blue accents and blue contrast stitching. Sport seats with integrated headrest, N-branded steering wheel, N gear knob and N metal pedals add to the drama. Also, the digital driver display shows the driver the best time to switch gears. For some weird reason, there’s no flat-bottom steering wheel. However, the steering wheel gets a Rev-Matching activation button on it, how cool is that?
Moving on to the business end of the story, the i20 N is powered by a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that pumps out 204 metric hp (150 kW) and 274 Nm (202 lb-ft) of torque. A 6-speed manual gearbox drives the front wheels. However, a Mechanical Limited Slip Differential (m‑LSD) can be picked up from the options list. The hot hatch is claimed to sprint from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph). In case you’re wondering, the weight is estimated to be about 1,190 kg (2,623 lbs).
There are five modes to play with: Normal, Eco, Sport, N and N Custom. The N Custom mode, as the name suggests, allows the driver to mix and match the parameters.
The new i20 N will be available across Europe from spring 2021.
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