2021 Hyundai i20 N revealed with whopping 204 hp

Word was that Hyundai’s N division was cooking up sub-compact hot hatch. Now it is finally here — it’s the 2021 Hyundai i20 N, and it comes with 204 hp.

The Hyundai i20 has been racing in the WRC for a long time now so an N variant fits like a glove for the little hatch. The i20 N catches attention at first glance with the subdued blue paint, officially called “Performance Blue.” In total, it gets 7 different exterior colour options. Red highlights on the body make it look more aggressive while the large 18-inch wheels and spoiler give it a purposeful stance. Adding to the sporty appeal are the side skirts, the diffuser on the rear bumper and a triangular rear fog light.

To spice up the interior, Hyundai i20 N gets a black interior accented with the same N-exclusive “Performance Blue” colour. Sports seats, a sports steering wheel, metal pedals, new gear knob and an exclusive instrument cluster graphics set the interior of the i20 N apart from the run-of-the-mill Hyundai i20.

The real business lies under the hood of the 2021 Hyundai i20 N — a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine brandishing 204 hp of power and 275 Nm of torque. It gets a healthy power to weight ratio of 171 hp per ton. The potent mill can be married to only a six-speed manual gearbox. There is no auto on offer now, yet Hyundai says that they may add an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission if there is enough demand. There is a mechanical limited-slip differential as well.

On the steering wheel, there is an “N” button to enable rev-matching. There are five drive modes to choose from: Normal, Eco, Sport, N, and N Custom, helping you tune the vehicle according to your liking. The chassis and suspension has been re-tuned, getting new joints, springs and shock absorbers. To control the performance of the i20 N, larger 320 mm front discs are also thrown in.

The 2021 Hyundai i20 N will hit the showrooms in early 2021. It will walk into a fairly small segment that houses the popular VW Polo GTI and the Ford Fiesta ST as well as the lacklustre Fiat Abarth 595 in Europe, but it is unlikely to be offered in the UAE and GCC.