Namyang Academy Of Fast Arts

The first high-performer to come out from Hyundai’s Namyang R&D centre is a Korean-German pocket rocket par excellence.

- Dr Andre Lam

UP till now, Hyundai seemed to be content making affordable cars for practical people. Well, that is about to change – fast.

Since 2012, Hyundai has been acquiring the talents of some top German engineers and executives in its effort to surpass the Japanese and perhaps even the Europeans.

Providing solid proof that the Korean automaker has stepped up its game is the Hyundai N programme, whose first product to hit the market is the i30 N.

This new model is not merely a badging exercise, with just the engine turbo boost of the regular i30 hatchback turned up.

Hyundai says that N stands for Namyang, where their R&D centre is located, but more befittingly, N also means Nurburgring, where Hyundai has a department for testing and developing their cars.

I have come to the infamous Nurburgring to drive the i30 N, a hot hatch which has been garnering accolades in Europe, where it has been on sale since the beginning of 2018. I am the first Singapore journo to sample the i30 N before its local launch.

Of all its competitors, the closest in concept is the iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI, but the Hyundai seems to be more ready, out of the box, for a track day than the VW.

In standard form, the i30 N has a 250hp 2-litre 4-pot turbo motor, which produces a more aggressive 275hp with the optional Performance Package.

The additional aggression doesn’t stop there – said package also includes a genuine e-differential for true torque vectoring, 19-inch Pirelli P Zero Trofeo tyres to improve both grip and agility, a tuned exhaust system and fiercer looking front and rear spoilers.