Hyundai I30 N Option is the Most Hardcore Hyundai Yet

The i30 N Option is only a concept for now, but it gives us a good idea of what to expect from Hyundai N’s future line of performance parts and accessories. If you ask us, Hyundai N knocked this one of the park. You’d never know the performance sub-brand was in its infancy when looking at the nicely executed carbon fiber hatch spoiler, vented carbon fiber hood and carbon lip kit. The tuned hatch also gets a quad-tip exhaust, lightweight 20-inch wheels, semi-slick tires and a special N Option white exterior color.

The interior also gets an overhaul. Occupants of the cabin will be greeted by Alcantara – lots of it. The race-inspired material is found on the N sport seats, along with the dashboard, steering wheel, doors, center console and elsewhere. Other notable interior equipment includes a sporty gear knob, aluminum sport pedals and a 12 0’clock marking for the steering wheel.

Hyundai’s N divison boss and motorsports director, Thomas Schemera, say the new i30 N Line and the concept i30 N Option give us a good idea of where the brand is headed.

“With our N portfolio we are shaking up the competition, and bringing new performance and emotions for our customers,” he said in a statement. “The development of our N vehicles is grounded in motorsport and our engagement there is the pinnacle of N. The new i30 N Line and our i30 N ‘N Option’ show car illustrate our dual approach to customisation, making N available to a wider audience.”

SEE ALSO: Hyundai Elantra GT N Line to Launch in US for 2019

Hyundai didn’t drop details on production versions of the N Option’s various performance parts, but we have our fingers crossed that the brand will produce and sell components similar to what’s seen on the concept. We think North American buyers, who are typically a bit more interested in aftermarket-style tuning parts than European customers, would be especially interested in a line of parts for the forthcoming Veloster N.

Hyundai’s N brand grew this week with the debut of the i30 Fastback N in Paris – a five-door liftback take on the i30 N. The brand may soon expand further with a performance Kona N and has floated the idea of a standalone N product too. This standalone sports car may take the form of a mid-engine hatchback inspired by the RM16N concept, but Hyundai is still deliberating over the matter.

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