The Hyundai i30 N was the Korean automaker’s first high-performance model under the ‘N’ brand. However, it was discontinued in the European market in 2024 alongside the i20 N, with plans to reposition the N brand “as a pioneer of high-performance EVs” ahead of the EU’s ban on combustion cars from 2035. Now, Autocar UK has reported that the i30 N is slated to return to Europe with an ICE engine, albeit with some hybrid assistance, going against the earlier all-electric approach of the performance-oriented brand.
- Likely to get an upgraded version of the standard i30’s 140hp, 1.5-litre hybrid engine
- Expected to be launched globally by late 2026 or early 2027
- Currently, Hyundai Europe's N division offers only the Ioniq 5 N and Ioniq 6 N EVs
Hyundai i30 N: What powertrain will it get?
International-spec 2-litre hybrid not likely to be brought to the European model
Hyundai N division’s boss, Joon Woo Park, said, “We are not limiting ourselves to EVs,” adding that the N brand will continue to offer a diverse powertrain line-up, including naturally aspirated, hybrid and EVs in the coming years, as its parent organisation does.
Although the technical specifications of the new i30 N have yet to be revealed, the upcoming model could feature an enhanced version of the 140hp 1.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid engine from the standard i30 to deliver better performance that justifies the N badge. However, instead of this, it could be offered with an all-new hybrid engine.
Notably, Hyundai has been testing a new engine for performance cars; engineers say it’s a high-revving, performance-oriented combustion unit. The company earlier told Autocar UK that it plans to “develop an engine that meets the performance requirements of the market and to mass produce it without any problems”. All of this suggests the introduction of a new ICE-powered sports car with high production volumes, and it could be the i30 N. In that case, an all-new hybrid engine for the i30 N, instead of the aforementioned upgraded unit, is not far off.
That said, the i30 N is still on sale in its third-generation avatar in New Zealand and Australia, where it gets a 2-litre turbo-petrol engine that puts out 280hp and up to 392Nm. However, to comply with the EU’s stringent emission standards, Hyundai might not bring this engine to the upcoming European-spec model.
Hyundai’s current N line-up in Europe consists only of the Ioniq 5 N hatchback and Ioniq 6 N saloon, both of which produce over 600hp.
Hyundai i30 N: When will it be launched?
When launched, it will be the only combustion-powered N model in Europe
Autocar UK spied an updated i30 hatchback with a design language similar to the third-generation i30, leading us to assume the upcoming model is just another facelift, likely to be launched in 2026. The performance-focused i30 N could therefore arrive by the end of 2026 or in the first half of 2027. This also aligns with Hyundai’s plans to “introduce seven new N models by 2030”.
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