Hyundai i20N accidentally teased, company takes down video

KUALA LUMPUR: South Korean automobile major Hyundai Motor recently revealed the next-generation i20 hatchback and a premium version of the car seems to be already underwork. A teaser video of the Hyundai i20N accidentally appeared on the internet but was promptly taken down by the company. Some images of the car, however, have since gone viral.

Even from the shadowy profile, the i20N seems to pack in a visual punch. It borrows a number of cues from the larger Hyundai i30N premium hatchback. The former gets the red accents and the signature Hyundai Performance Blue colour scheme. The i20N premium hatchback also sports a sizeable tailgate spoiler, large turban-type alloy wheels, a deeper front air dam, rear bumper, and side skirts. The car, according to the revealed image, has a black roof which comes as an option on the car’s standard version.

Reports suggest that the i20N will be hauled by a slightly tweaked version of Hyundai’s turbocharged, 4-cylinder 1.6-litre engine which produces around 200 PS maximum power. The motor will be mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox with automatic transmission (AT) likely to be available as an option. The Hyundai i30N, meanwhile, is powered by a turbocharged, 2.0-litre engine paired with an identical gearbox. An 8-speed, dual-clutch automatic version of the car is reportedly under development.

Rumours that Hyundai was planning to introduce an ‘N’ variant of the i20 hatchback was doing the rounds for a while. The company appeared to be intent on retaining at least some elements of its rally cars in the passenger vehicles. The current Hyundai car for the World Rally Championship is based on the i20 Coupe. The car is powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection (T-GDI) motor which produces around 172Nm peak torque and 120PS maximum power. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Hyundai currently sells five different car models in the Malaysian market. The Ioniq Hybrid, at RM 99,888, is the lowest priced car in Malaysia. The Hyundai i20N, as and when it is launched, will lock horns with the Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz, and the Kia Rio. The BMW 1 Series will all be its indirect rival.

Also Read: Next-gen Hyundai i30 update revealed