Hyundai i30 N Project C: Lighter Limited Edition Promises A Sportier Driving Experience

The aggressive i30 N Project C may have surfaced online a little earlier than its maker intended, but it has been unveiled in full at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Hyundai is promoting the hot hatch as “a lighter, lower, more aggressive version” of the regular i30 N Performance. The ‘C’ in the name stands for ‘Area C’ at Hyundai’s Namyang R&D high-performance test circuit, ‘carbon fiber’, and ‘center of gravity.’ It will be sold exclusively in Europe and be limited to just 600 units.

The i30 N Project C sports a 2.0-liter T-GDI turbo four that’s pumping out 271 HP and 260 lb-ft (353 Nm) of torque and up to 278 lb-ft (378 Nm) when Overboost is enabled between 1750 rpm and 4200 rpm. Essentially, it is the same lump found in the regular i30 N with the Performance Package.

Also Read: Driven – It’s True – The 2019 Hyundai i30 N IS A Game Changer

The first major difference between the standard model and the Project C is the weight. Hyundai started by developing a new front splitter, rear diffuser, bonnet and N-branded side skirts from carbon fiber reinforced plastic. In addition, the i30 N Project C comes standard with forged OZ Racing 19-inch wheels that save 22 kg (48 lbs). Another key weight-saving measure is the presence of front bucket seats with carbon fiber reinforced plastic backings. All this contribute to the the Project C being 50 kg (110 lbs) lighter than the i30 N hatchback.

Elsewhere, Hyundai has also lowered the vehicle’s ride height by 6 mm (0.23-inch) and lowered the center of gravity effectively by 8.8 mm (0.34-inches) thanks to new internal calibrations for the i30 N dampers and shorter higher-stiffness springs. Tuning has been done to the various driving modes, with both the Sport and N providing greater feedback through the wheel.

A peek inside reveals a handful of small details to distinguished the i30 N Project C from lesser variants. Most notably, the light blue accents of the standard car have been replaced by Deep Orange parts including the Drive Mode and N-mode thumb paddles on the steering wheel. There is also a limited-edition badge on the passenger side that marks the number of each of the 600 cars that will be made.

Hyundai hasn’t announced pricing just yet, but dis say that deliveries will commence in select European markets later this year.