The new Hyundai i20 has only just been unveiled, but the company seems to have already let slip that a hotter N version is coming. Its Austrian arm released a teaser video of the i20 N on YouTube, which has since been taken down – but not before Carscoops managed to snag a screenshot.
Even from the shadowy side profile, it’s clear that this cili padi will pack a serious visual punch, taking plenty of cues from the larger i30 N. Apart from the signature Performance Blue paint and red accents, the i20 N also looks to sport a deeper front air dam, side skirts and rear bumper, large turbine-style alloy wheels and a sizeable tailgate spoiler. This particular version also has a black roof that’s an option on the standard i20.
Rumours of an N variant have been swirling for a while, as Hyundai appeared to be intent on drawing closer parallels between its road cars and its rallying exploits (its current World Rally Car is based on the outgoing i20 Coupé). A development prototype based on the facelifted previous-generation model was spotted testing last year, confirming the car’s existence.
Reports suggest that the car will be powered by a tuned version of the company’s 1.6 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, sending around 200 hp to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. If that sounds familiar, it’s because that’s the same formula employed by the Peugeot 208 GTi and the old Ford Fiesta ST (the new one uses a 1.5 litre turbo three-pot).
Can’t wait for the reveal (which should be before the end of the year, by all accounts)? Whet your appetite for N power by watching our video review of the i30 N, which will be coming soon.
GALLERY: 2021 Hyundai i20
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a civic 1.5 turbo remap can produce 205hp. that’s more than this so called hot hatch.
So the customer has to get that extra 30 hp? Honda can’t be bothered to do that right out of the factory?