Hot hatches are by definition just that: hatchbacks. But not everyone likes the aborted roofline inherent in the bodystyle. And automakers are beginning to recognize that, like Hyundai has with the i30 Fastback N.
A combination of the i30 N hot hatch and the i30 Fastback that’d make Dr. Frankenstein proud, this variant debuted today at the 2018 Paris Auto Show as a sort of best-of-both-worlds proposition.
Up front sits a 2.0-liter turbo four kicking out 271 horsepower (202 kW) and 260 lb-ft (353 Nm) of torque – 275 lb-ft (373 Nm) on overboost – sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual. Further back, an elegantly slanting roofline, lending it a rather more rakish, coupe-like silhouette. Sort of like, say, the Mercedes-AMG CLA45 or CLS63, but positioned at an altogether more accessible price point and market position.
The result is a five-door slantback that’ll run to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 6.1 seconds on its way to a top speed quoted at 155 mph (250 km/h). And with 13.5-inch (345-mm) brake discs up front and 11.8” (300-mm) discs at the back, it has the stopping power to keep its forward momentum in check. Plus it’ll carry you and three or four of your best friends (or family members), along with 47 cubic feet (1,337 liters) of stuff in the back, all the while looking the part with similarly sporty touches to the i30 N hatchback.
“The All-New i30 Fastback N is the stylish variant of the i30 N five-door, made to deliver maximum driving fun to our customers in a sophisticated design,” said Hyundai VP Andreas-Christoph Hofmann. “It’s the first five-door hot coupe in the compact car segment and the newest performance-oriented model in our European N range, looking to attract more new customers and let them feel the N feeling.”
Sounds like a winning proposition to us. Shame it won’t be sold in the US, but you can check it out in the live and stock images in the gallery below.
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