The automotive world is always evolving, and sometimes that means we have to bid farewell to the cars we’ve come to love. Hyundai’s popular petrol-powered i20 N and i30 N hot hatches have officially left the European market, closing an exciting chapter for performance car enthusiasts and signaling a significant industry shift towards electric vehicles and sustainability.
Hyundai once designed and produced some advanced vehicles.
When Hyundai launched the i30 N back in 2017, it truly shook things up in the automotive scene. A brand known for sensible cars suddenly stepped into the hot hatch ring with a serious contender that could go toe-to-toe with, and even beat, the established players, delivering an engaging and fun driving experience that focused on pure enjoyment.
Following in its sibling’s footsteps, the i20 N arrived in 2021, quickly becoming a standout in the compact hot hatch segment. It offered a raw, unfiltered driving experience that reminded many of the classic naturally-aspirated hot hatches from an era before widespread turbocharging and digital complexity.
However, Hyundai has been very clear about its strategic pivot towards electrification, with the N brand slated to spearhead future high-performance electric vehicles (EVs). This aligns perfectly with their ambitious goals of having a completely zero-emission lineup by 2035 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. We saw the i20 N quietly disappear from the UK last year, and now, confirmation has come that both the i20 N and i30 N are no longer being produced for the European market.
The i20 and i30 N’s exit is emblematic of a broader industry trend.
Hyundai confirmed the news directly to Car Throttle, stating: ‘Production of the ICE N models 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. Going forward in Europe, Hyundai is developing Hyundai N as a pioneer of high-performance EVs.’
This news is undoubtedly a blow to fans of traditional hot hatches. The i20 N and i30 N quickly won over many hearts with their focus on driving pleasure, becoming underdogs that punched well above their weight. Their departure highlights the dwindling number of combustion-engined, manual-gearbox hot hatches available, with only a handful like the Honda Civic Type R and Toyota GR Yaris remaining.
While these beloved models might still be available in other regions like Asia, and the i30 N’s saloon counterpart, the Elantra N, continues in North America, their European story has unfortunately concluded. The Kona N crossover also departed with its generation’s end last year, leaving the electrifying Ioniq 5 N as the sole N model currently available in Europe, with a high-performance Ioniq 6 variant also expected soon.
The exit of the i20 N and i30 N is a clear indicator of a much larger trend sweeping the automotive industry. Traditional hot hatches are facing an uphill battle as manufacturers increasingly focus on EVs and the growing crossover market. We’ve already seen the demise of models like the Ford Fiesta ST and VW Up GTI, and even future versions of iconic cars like the Golf GTI are rumored to be losing their manual gearbox option. Yet, cars like the Toyota GR Yaris and Honda Civic Type R offer a glimmer of hope for driving enthusiasts.
Despite the sadness surrounding the petrol models’ end, Hyundai’s push into high-performance EVs with the Ioniq 5 N is genuinely exciting. This powerhouse, boasting an impressive 641bhp, is poised to completely redefine expectations for driver engagement in an electric vehicle, as already suggested by its overwhelmingly positive reception.
The discontinuation of Hyundai’s petrol hot hatches in Europe marks the end of a truly significant era. These cars brilliantly demonstrated how a dedication to pure driving enjoyment and straightforward engineering could create an exhilarating experience, easily competing with more complex, technologically advanced rivals. As we embrace this new era of electrification, there’s a strong hope that the spirit and passion found in the i20 N and i30 N will be carried forward and transformed into Hyundai’s upcoming electric vehicles, ensuring the legacy of thrilling driving continues.
