Hyundai i20 N and i30 N sticking around in Australia despite European axing

Hyundai is ending production of the i20 N and i30 N hot hatches for the European market, but this won’t affect Australia.

“i20 N and i30 N (hatch) production for Australia will continue, it is not affected by the recent European market announcement,” said a spokesperson for Hyundai Australia.

Not only will they be sticking around here, but CarExpert understands they’ll also receive minor facelifts around mid-year.

With their axing in Europe, that will leave Australia as one of only a tiny handful markets still offering these combustion-powered N cars. Presently, this includes New Zealand, South Africa and the Middle East.

These hot hatches aren’t offered in North America or South Korea.

“Production of the ICE N models [i20 N and i30 N] has ceased for the European market starting from February, in line with our commitment to offering a zero-tailpipe-emission line-up to our customers by 2035 and to operating 100 per cent carbon neutrally by 2045,” Hyundai Europe said in a statement to media.

That will leave just one N model in Europe: the considerably larger, heavier and more expensive Ioniq 5 N, the first electric N car.

In contrast, Hyundai Australia will continue to offer not only the i20 N and i30 N hatchbacks, but also the South Korean-built Ioniq 5 N electric car and i30 Sedan N.

The end of combustion-powered N production in Europe doesn’t affect regular members of the i20 and i30 lines.

An updated i20 N Line was just revealed for Europe, though it’s unlikely to come here as Hyundai brings its Volkswagen Polo rival here exclusively in N guise.

As for the i30 hatchback, Hyundai Australia is switching to European sourcing as production of the model ends in South Korea.

Set to be more expensive albeit with new, more efficient turbocharged engine, the updated i30 hatch is due here in the third quarter of 2024.

MORE: Everything Hyundai i20 MORE: Everything Hyundai i30