Hyundai might have unveiled the third-generation i10 only six days ago, yet it seems it’s already working on a sporty derivative. Our spy photographers captured a heavily camouflaged prototype in the wild last month, with some styling changes that suggest it’s either an N Line variant or a full-blown N performance model.
Although it’s not very likely, seeing that it’s a city car, we hope it’s the latter and not the former, and so does XTomi.
For this rendering, he imagined a hot version inspired by the i30 N. Changes include a reworked front bumper with larger side air intakes, darkened headlamps, a new apron and side skirts with red accents, a roof-mounted spoiler and a set of large alloys.
Also Read: All-New Hyundai i10 Debuts With Cute Looks Before Frankfurt Premiere
If the Koreans are indeed working on an i10 N, then it would throw the ball in Volkswagen’s backyard, going after the Up! GTI, which packs a 113 horsepower, 1.0-liter three-pot and needs 8.5 seconds to sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h).
Hyundai’s hot city car would need to be at least equally fast to make a strong case for itself, and not many gear heads would say no to a tiny hatch with around 120 HP or more which, combined with the small dimensions and relatively light weight, should make for a fun little car.
The automaker does have the right tools to make the i10 N happen, and it would serve to further strengthen its N performance division. As mentioned before, hot city cars are not really the flavor of the moment, but since VW does have the Up! GTI, maybe Hyundai, who’s already given the Germans a serious headache with the i30N in the compact hot hatch niche, will decide to do the same in the lower segment too.
