Hyundai may launch i20 N hot hatch globally in 2018

Hyundai is reportedly working towards crowning its i20 hatchback with the N performance treatment as early as next year. This comes as a surprise since the brand’s upcoming i30 N isn’t out in the market yet, and shows its focus on expanding its ‘N’ line-up. Hyundai’s i20 N is the third vehicle that the car maker’s ‘N’ department has been developing, after the i30 N and Veloster N.

Sources suggest that the i20 N will borrow from the company’s knowhow attained in their participation in the World Rally Championship to come up with a performance oriented road-legal version. With the i20 N, Hyundai will look to give rivals like the VW Polo GTI, Ford’s Fiesta ST, Peugeot 208 GTI and the Toyota Yaris GRMN some much needed competition.

Powering this version could be a turbocharged 1.6-litre motor which is expected to make about 200bhp in a front-wheel-drive set-up, along with the option of an electronic limited-slip differential. The fully kitted out version is likely to be made available in a three-door i20 Coupe iteration.

Picture used for representational purpose only: Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC 2017