Hyundai i30 Fastback N is a Full Tilt, 270 HP Five Door

The Hyundai i30 Fastback N has made its debut ahead of the 2018 Paris Motor Show, marking the arrival of the third model from the Korean automaker’s performance ‘N’ sub-brand.

The i30 Fastback N is essentially the same car as the i30 N hatchback that has been on sale in Europe for some time now, but it trades the hatchback body in for a five-door body. We don’t get the standard i30 Fastback in North America (although we do get the i30 hatch in the way of the Elantra GT), so it’s unlikely that we’ll get the i30 Fastback N, but we figured we’d draw your attention to this unique little performance offering anyway.

Under the hood of the i30 Fastback N is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine making 246 hp, but the optional Performance package will bring that figure up to 271 hp. Torque sits at a meaty 260 lb-ft for both standard and Performance models and will grow to 278 lb-ft under the temporary overboost function. Hyundai says the 246 hp version will scoot from 0-62 mph in 6.4s, while the 271 hp model will get it in done in just 6.1s. Both versions top out at 155 mph (250 km/h). A six-speed manual is the only transmission option, as far as we can tell.

SEE ALSO: 2019 Hyundai Veloster Review

Like the Veloster N we’ll be receiving here in North America, the i30 N also features the brand’s ‘N Grin Control’ system, which is just a drive mode select system with a quirky name. With dedicated buttons on the steering wheel, the drive can put the vehicle in Eco, Normal, Sport and track-focused N modes, along with a configurable N Custom mode.

The i30 Fastback N also gets unique N front and rear fascias, side skirts, a lip spoiler and N alloy wheels. Inside, the five-door is set off with an N steering wheel, N gear knob and bolstered sport seats.

Hyundai decided to show off what the i30 Fastback N is capable of by having two of its pro drivers, Thierry Neuville and Gabriele Tarquini, race each other in the car on winding roads between Rome and Paris and through Denmark. Tarquini came out on top, traveling the 7.9 mile (12.8 km) distance between the two villages in only 8 minutes and 18.49s. You can view Hyundai’s promo video from the race below.

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