Goodbye Hyundai Elantra Sport, hello Hyundai i30 Sedan N Line.
Hyundai’s latest small sedan has been given the i30 nameplate but features much more aggressive styling than its hatchback counterpart.
The Sport nameplate has also been dropped in favour of the N Line name used on the warm i30 hatchback.
The i30 Sedan N Line will arrive in the fourth quarter of this year, alongside the regular i30 Sedan.
Unlike that model with its naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the i30 Sedan N Line will pack a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine.
Outputs are identical to the outgoing Elantra Sport, with 150kW of power and 265Nm of torque.
Like the Elantra Sport, it’ll also offer a choice of six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions. Also like its predecessor, it’ll feature an independent rear suspension and a unique Australian suspension tune.
The N Line features sportier styling than the regular i30 Sedan, with 18-inch alloy wheels and restyled front and rear bumpers. There’s also gloss black trim on the exterior mirrors and side skirts, plus a racier rear diffuser and dual exhaust outlets.
Standard equipment includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for the larger, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
There’s also a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, sport seats with leather bolsters, and alloy pedals.
Standard safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking with forward-collision warning, as well as lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, driver attention warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive high-beam.
If the N Line’s 150kW output isn’t enough for you, there’s an i30 Sedan N that’s been snapped by spy photographers. It’ll use the N hatchback’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 202kW of power and 353Nm of torque.
An N Line variant of the redesigned Sonata is due sooner than that model, with a fourth quarter launch set for this year. It’ll pack a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 213kW of power and 420Nm of torque.
The N Line sedans are part of an onslaught of new Hyundai product touching down this year, including a facelifted i30 hatchback and redesigned Santa Fe and new Palisade SUVs.
Moving its small sedan offering under the i30 nameplate will help boost the i30 in the local sales race. Key rivals like the Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla and its corporate cousin the Kia Cerato all feature hatchback and sedan models under one nameplate.
In other markets like the US, the i30 Sedan will retain the 30-year old Elantra nameplate.
