SPIED: Hyundai i10 N spotted – 150 hp mini hatch?

Hyundai may have just unveiled the third-generation i10, but the automaker is already well into the final development stages for the hotter i10 N, or at least the sportier-looking i10 N-Line.

The small hatch now wears the company’s latest interpretation of the Cascading Grille, and despite the heavy camouflaging, it looks like the i10 N may sport the same fascia, right down to the odd placement of the LED fog lamps at the edges of the grille.

However, standout features include a more aggressive-looking set of alloys, complete with fatter tyres and a protruding wheel hub with circular red highlights. At the back, the prototype unit is even seen with dual exhaust exits, which takes the place of the more understated black unit on the regular i10.

If this were to be the actual i10 N, sources point towards a possible output of 150 hp, which is plenty powerful for such a tiny A-segment hatch. At the moment, it’s all up in the air, but the prospects of a hot tiny runabout certainly seems exciting.

To recap, the regular i10 is available as a four- and five-seater model, and it’s powered by the existing 1.0 litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine making 67 PS and 96 Nm of torque, as well as a larger 1.2 litre four-pot with 84 PS and 118 Nm. Both engines are paired with a five-speed manual or a five-speed automated manual that is lighter and has reduced friction.

The new hatch offers better interior space thanks to the longer wheelbase. On the tech side of things, it features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless phone charging and Hyundai’s BlueLink telematics. The optional GPS navigation system also comes with the Hyundai Live Services subscription, adding real-time traffic, weather and speed camera information.

Safety-wise, the i10 benefits from features such as autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, traffic sign recognition and auto high beam.

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