Hyundai Might Bring Back the i30N, and Enthusiasts Are VERY Interested
For a moment, it looked like the hot‑hatch world had lost one of its great modern success stories. When Hyundai confirmed the i30N was ending production, and the smaller i20N quietly disappeared from the price lists, it felt like the end of an era. These weren’t just quick hatchbacks, they were cars that proved Hyundai could go toe‑to‑toe with the established players and win hearts, especially here in the UK.
But now, against the odds, the i30N might not be dead after all.
A Surprise Twist From Hyundai
Hyundai has recently hinted that the i30N could make a comeback, albeit in a very different form. According to comments from senior figures, the brand hasn’t ruled out resurrecting the N‑badged hatch, but the only realistic route would be through electrification.
This lines up with what’s been reported elsewhere: emissions rules are tightening, small petrol performance cars are disappearing fast, and Hyundai’s own combustion engines are being phased out. If the i30N returns, it won’t be with the familiar 2.0‑litre turbo alone. A hybrid system would almost certainly be part of the recipe.
Why the i30N Matters So Much
The original i30N arrived like a punch in the ribs to the established order. It wasn’t supposed to be that good, yet it was. Sharp steering, a playful chassis, a proper manual gearbox, and a sense of humour that many rivals had lost in the pursuit of lap times. It was a car that made you grin on a B‑road.
In the UK, it became a cult favourite almost overnight. You still see them everywhere: driven hard, modified, enjoyed. The i20N followed the same formula in a smaller package, and again, enthusiasts loved it, so when both cars vanished from sale, it felt like Hyundai had walked away from something special.
A Hybrid i30N - Could It Work?
If Hyundai does bring the i30N back, a hybrid system isn’t just likely it could be absolutely necessary. But that doesn’t mean it has to lose its character.
A small turbo engine paired with an electric motor could actually make the next i30N quicker, punchier at low revs, and more flexible day‑to‑day. Providing it allows users to drive on electric-only propulsion, this setup could strike the perfect balance, all whilst keeping governements and ever-tightening regulators happy.
Hyundai’s N division has already shown it understands how to make electrified performance exciting. The Ioniq 5 N is proof of that, a big, heavy EV that somehow feels alive and mischievous. If that team applies the same philosophy to a hybrid hot hatch, the result could be something genuinely fresh in a segment that desperately needs new ideas.
Why Enthusiasts Should Be Optimistic
A few things stand out:
- Hyundai hasn’t abandoned the N brand, far from it.
- The company knows how important the i30N is to its image.
- Electrification isn’t the enemy of fun; it’s the only way performance cars survive the next decade.
And crucially, Hyundai wouldn’t tease the idea of an i30N revival unless it believed there was a proper business case for it. The demand is clearly still there and especially in markets like the UK, where the i30N became part of the hot‑hatch landscape.
A Hot Hatch Revival We Didn’t Expect
If the i30N does return, it won’t be the same car we waved goodbye to, but maybe that’s the point. The world has moved on, and the next generation of performance cars will need to adapt. A hybrid i30N could be the bridge between the old-school petrol bruisers we love and the electrified future we’re all heading toward.
And honestly? In a world where the hot hatch seems to be fading away, that glimmer of hope is something worth celebrating.