Skip advert
Advertisement

Hyundai i20 N revealed – Ford Fiesta ST rival priced from £24,995

N division's second model set to shake up the junior hot hatch establishment

Hyundai has confirmed local pricing for its brilliant new i20 N, starting at £24,995 for the single high-spec model. This does put it at a higher entry price point than its key rival, the Fiesta ST, but when key elements like five-doors and a limited slip differential are included this gap shrinks to just £15. The Hyundai i20 N itself is a new supermini hot hatch from the Korean firm’s N division that will join the recently updated i30 N in the marque’s performance line-up. While there hasn’t been an i20 that’s ever blinked on our radar before, much like the i30 N did back in 2017 the new i20 N promises to once again shake up the status quo with a little help from its German development team. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Powering the i20 N is Hyundai’s 1.6-litre four-cylinder ‘Gamma’ engine, which although new to the European market in a Hyundai is the same underlying engine found in the Kia Ceed GT and Proceed GT. While the powertrain in those two models is pretty uninspiring, in the i20 N it has gone through a similar development process as the i30 N’s engine architecture – which itself had rather pedestrian roots – gaining a new turbo, bespoke variable valve timing and a new injection system.

Peak power for is rated at 200bhp, with a relatively light torque peak of 203lb ft, but the latter is available right the way from 1750 to 4000rpm. Power peaks between 5000 and 6000rpm, suggesting the engine will be happy in the upper levels of the rev band. The Ford Fiesta ST by comparison is very slightly down on power (by 3bhp), but then ahead by 11lb ft despite it having one cylinder fewer. The two cars are very similarly matched in terms of weight, with both coming in at around 1190kg as five-door models with a limited-slip differential (standard on the Hyundai, optional on the Ford), but the i20 N is marginally slower to 62mph at 6.7sec, 0.2sec behind the ST.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Hyundai’s sole transmission option is a six-speed manual, with power sent to the front wheels via a Torsen mechanical-style limited-slip differential. The only wheel and tyre package available is a set of 18-inch alloys running bespoke 215-section Pirelli P Zero tyres.

The underlying chassis has seen some pretty hefty improvements in rigidity, with no less than 12 structural points being reinforced or redesigned. The front suspension strut towers in particular have been strengthened, and support bespoke springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and wheel carriers. The rear suspension is of a torsion-beam design, as is the case with all other superminis this side of a Mini. 

Like the i30 N, the i20 N offers multiple modes for the driver, running through Eco, Normal, Sport, N and N Individual, each of which affects the engine mapping, ESC, exhaust and steering. As the i20 N makes do with passive dampers and a mechanical limited-slip differential, these are not able to be customised as they are in the i30. 

The styling of the i20 inside and out has gained a more aggressive look for the N variant, with the standard i20’s odd melange of slashes and creases joined by new bumpers, a new splitter and a more assertive use of red pinstriping around the groundwork. Hyundai N’s trademark powder blue paint is present and correct, of course, and while the third brake light is a slim LED affair, the rear fog light has made use of the triangle motif seen on the i30 N. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Toyota Yaris GRMN (2017 - 2018) review – the forgotten Ford Fiesta ST killer?
Toyota Yaris GRMN
Reviews

Toyota Yaris GRMN (2017 - 2018) review – the forgotten Ford Fiesta ST killer?

Toyota Gazoo Racing sprung out the gates with the supercharged Yaris GRMN, a bombastic hot hatch that now hides in the shadow of the GR Yaris
21 Jan 2025
The Alpine A290 is ready to hit the road – UK pricing announced
Alpine A290
News

The Alpine A290 is ready to hit the road – UK pricing announced

Alpine's long-awaited electric hot hatch is here in its final form, and it's ready to hit UK roads
21 Jan 2025
Renault Sport Clio 200 Turbo – the car world's greatest misses
Renault Sport Clio 200 Turbo
Features

Renault Sport Clio 200 Turbo – the car world's greatest misses

This misguided departure from the French brand’s hot hatch heritage saw the Clio fall from grace
18 Jan 2025
Toyota GR Yaris 2025 review – the modern homologation special gets even better
Toyota GR Yaris – front
In-depth reviews

Toyota GR Yaris 2025 review – the modern homologation special gets even better

Toyota’s GR Yaris was always brilliant but has received a number of key and welcome updates. It’s even better but also, a lot more expensive.
17 Jan 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

‘There are still a few used car bargains. I almost dare not speak their names’
Audi R8
Opinion

‘There are still a few used car bargains. I almost dare not speak their names’

Jethro confesses an addiction, but one that you almost certainly share
24 Jan 2025
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid 2025 review – the best 992 Carrera yet
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid – front
Reviews

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid 2025 review – the best 992 Carrera yet

A new hybrid engine and chassis upgrades have injected personality and huge capability into the 992 – it’s our favourite 911 this side of a GT3
24 Jan 2025
Porsche 989 – dead on arrival
Porsche 989
Features

Porsche 989 – dead on arrival

Porsche’s first saloon might have predated the Panamera by a decade and a half, had the sums added up
22 Jan 2025