Hyundai has finally introduced its N performance brand in India with the i20 N Line being the first model to hit our shores. The Hyundai i20 N Line gets a sportier cosmetic job inside and out, accompanied by a sportier suspension setup and exhaust note.
Along with the unveil, Hyundai also opened bookings for the i20 N Line in India. Customers can book the car online or at Hyundai dealerships for Rs 25,000. Prices could be announced in September.
Although the i20 N Line debuts Hyundai's N performance brand in India, it must be noted that N Line models only get a sportier setup and cosmetic upgrades, and must not be confused with full-blown N cars that are much more powerful and performance-focused.
- Hyundai i20 N Line powered by 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine
- Transmission options include 6-speed iMT and 7-speed DCT gearbox
- Will be available in two trims – N6 and N8
Hyundai i20 N Line: what's new on the outside?
The most prominent distinguishing factor about N Line models are their sportier cosmetic job on the outside. To that effect, up front, the Hyundai i20 N Line gets a sportier dual-tone bumper with deep set fog lamp housing and sporty red accents, a sportier looking grille with a 'chequered flag' inspired design, a front splitter and N Line logo.
In profile, the i20 N Line sets itself apart with a new design for the 16-inch alloy wheels. It also gets a side sill garnish with red inserts and red front brake calipers. At the rear, the i20 N Line gets a sportier bumper with a prominent diffuser and twin-exhaust pipes, a tail gate spoiler with side wings and a dark chrome garnish connecting the two tail-lamp units.
The i20 N Line is available in four monotone paint options - Thunder blue (new and exclusive), Fiery red, Titan grey and Polar white - and two dual-tone paint options - Thunder blue with Phantom black roof and Fiery red with Phantom black roof.
Hyundai i20 N Line: interior updates and features
The overall dashboard layout is pretty identical to the standard car. However, the all-black interior has been spiced up with red highlights and red ambient lighting. It also gets a new chequered flag design with N logo for the leatherette seats, sporty metal pedals, a bespoke three-spoke steering wheel and N-branded leather gear knob.
In terms of features, the i20 N Line carries over all the equipment from the standard i20. It comes equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, cruise control, automatic climate control, a single-pane sunroof, 7-speaker Bose sound system and much more.
The i20 N Line additionally gets new voice recognition functions along with an updated Bluelink app that features 16 free over-the-air map updates. Safety features include 6 airbags, TPMS, rear-view parking camera, automatic headlamps, electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management (VSC), hill assist control (HAC) and more.
Hyundai i20 N Line: powertrain and mechanical upgrades
Under the hood, as we had previously reported, the India-spec i20 N Line is only offered with the 120hp, 172Nm, 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol unit. Transmission options include the 6-speed iMT or 7-speed DCT gearbox. The DCT gearbox now comes with paddle shifters for more driver engagement. However, Hyundai has missed this opputunity to introduce a manual gearbox with the turbo-petrol engine on the i20.
Although the powertrain configuration and tune remain unchanged from the standard i20, it does get a sportier exhaust note. The suspension has also been tweaked for a sportier setup, promising better handling around corners and a more planted drive. Additionally, the i20 N Line also gets disc brakes at all four corners, for better stopping power, as against the standard i20, which only gets front disc brakes. Hyundai also claims to have improved on-centre steering feel on the i20 N Line.
Hyundai i20 N Line: expected price and rivals
With the launch expected in September, the i20 N Line will be the new top-spec model in the i20 range. Currently, the range tops out at Rs 11.40 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the Asta(O) turbo-DCT variant. Expect the N Line to cost Rs 1-1.5 lakh more. For its price, the Hyundai i20 N Line will not have any direct competitors in India.
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