The Hyundai i30 Fastback N is a five-door GT coupe version of the i30 N five-door hot hatch, which Hyundai hopes will prove a fast and value-packed alternative to models such as the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. It debuts next week at the 2018 Paris Motor Show.
From the front, it’s largely the same as the i30 N hatch, the range-topper of the i30 five-door range.
It’s the slinky hatchback rear that’s the standout aspect. Hyundai would rather us refer to it as a four-door coupe, thanks to its sweeping roofline and elegant tail.
Instead of the upright rear of a hatch, it’s more curvaceous and more like one of those premium German alternatives (it doesn’t have a rear wiper either, which should be interesting in rainy wintry Britain…).
Yet it should still have a reasonably roomy rear and the 450-litre boot is actually bigger and more practical than the hatch.
It extends to a yawning 1,351 litres with the seats down. So the sexy-looking version of the i30 N is actually the more practical version too – at least until Hyundai decides to be bold and give us an i30 N Estate…
As with the hatch, the 2.0-litre turbo’s offered in both 250hp and 275hp Performance guise. The latter gets a limited-slip differential, plus bigger 19-inch wheels that are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tyres and hide enlarged brakes. Its dual-exit exhaust is fruitier, too.
Performance? 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds for the regular i30 N Fastback, with the i30 Fastback N Performance Package doing it in 6.1 seconds. Top speed is again capped to 155mph.
Expect prices to show a mild hike over the regular i30 N, which costs £25,760 in regular guise and £28,760 as a 275hp Performance. But as the regular Fastback is only around £350 more than the hatch, it may not be as step as you think.
We’ll find out more at Paris next week – and bring you first live images of the better-looking Fastback four-door coupe alternative to the i30 N hot hatch.