Hyundai i30N Could Spawn AWD Rival To Ford Focus RS

While the Hyundai N division has encountered a long gestation period, the

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by Brad Anderson

August 26, 2016 at 05:04

While the Hyundai N division has encountered a long gestation period, the company is edging closer to the launch of its i30N hot hatch and already has ambitions to rival the big boys with an even more powerful version.

While recently speaking with Autocar, N division boss Albert Biermann said that the front-wheel drive i30N could spawn a direct rival to the Ford Focus RS.

“We have been looking at this already,” he said. “I would not exclude for the future that we would do it, but it depends on how we grow.

“If we came up with a performance car on the highest level [now], it might be too fast for our customers and our dealerships. But I can see for the future that we will make a really high-performance car in the C-segment. Then, of course, we would need all-wheel drive,” Biermann confirmed.

However, the executive was keen to point out that the launch of such a model rests on whether its customers demand such a car.

As it stands, the Hyundai i30N is expected to be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine delivering upwards of 255 hp, pitting it directly against the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST.