Hyundai debuted its all-new i10 city car recently, and already the Korean company has tantalised us with the possibility of a full performance model with this, the N Line specification - a machine which took its bow at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Turbo triple
For now, the only 'full' N Hyundais we have are all i30s, but N Line has become the Korean marque's sporty trim line. However, for N to be a success, surely its formula must spread to more models of the Hyundai portfolio and the i10 N Line gives us hope that the tiny tot might turn into a tearaway with 140-150hp. We can but dream, eh?
Anyway, the i10 N Line has a turbocharged 1.0-litre T-GDI three-cylinder petrol engine, delivering 100hp and 172Nm to the front wheels via means of a five-speed gearbox. Now, Hyundai hasn't revealed the performance stats of this pup as yet, but we'd expect it to seriously outstrip the 1.2-litre four-pot motor with 84hp/118Nm, which takes a leisurely 12.6 seconds to kit 100km/h from a standstill. Might a sub-ten-second time be in the offing? Possibly, and it'd make the i10 N Line at the very least an intriguing warm hatch.
Visually, the N Line is denoted by 16-inch alloy wheels of its own design, reshaped bumpers, a different form of radiator grille and the fitment of LED daytime running lights. Buyers will also enjoy N Line badging and a red 'i10' exterior logo, the option of six colours and a possible two-tone roof, as well as an N-branded steering wheel and gear shift lever, red air vent rings, and metal pedals in the driver's footwell. There are also sports seats, too.
'N Line character'
Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, vice-president for Marketing and Product at Hyundai Motor Europe, said: "Taking inspiration from our high-performance sub-brand Hyundai N, the i10 N Line features an even more dynamic look. In the past year, N Line has become an important component of our model strategy and we are excited to introduce the N Line character to our i10 customers."