Hyundai i30 N auto due in 2019

The highly anticipated dual-clutch auto version of the Hyundai i30 N is still on schedule to make its debut in 2019, Hyundai Australia has confirmed.

Hyundai Australia marketing manager, Bill Thomas, told media the the launch of the new Hyundai i30 Fastback N model that we are on track to see an auto version of the go-fast model this year.

“We’re still, officially, at later this year,” Mr Thomas said. 

The dual-clutch transmission is a dead-set necessity for the success of the i30 N in Australia, and the inclusion of that gearbox will also likely help Hyundai add the Veloster N to its ranks. 

Not only is it a dual-clutch auto transmission that’ll make its way here for the first time - Hyundai Australia is set to introduce a more advanced auto emergency braking system with pedestrian detection, cyclist detection and adaptive cruise control, too.

“You will see those items - but we can’t put a time on it at the moment,” said Andrew Tuitahi, senior manager product planning for Hyundai Australia. “Maybe be the best thing would be to package it up with the dual-clutch transmission, and maybe you’ll see it around then.”

We wouldn’t expect to see the auto i30 N before the end of this year, though. And before then, it’s likely Aussie buyers will see a minor update for the i30 N that will adopt changes the suspension of the car that have already been applied to the i30 Fastback N.

Tuitahi was heavily involved in the tuning program for the i30 N hatch and Fastback. Here’s a backgrounder: Australia received a unique tune for the hatch model (essentially a lot softer than the hatch sold in Korea and Europe). Most of that has been carried over to the Fastback, which is even softer again than the hatch sold here - and Australia will soon adopt the same tune as the Fastback as part of a model-year update.

Along with a dual-clutch auto, the i30 N will get a more advanced auto emergency braking system.

Confused? Us too. 

“If you consider some of the news that’s come out of Europe discussing a ‘vast difference in feel’ between the two cars (i30 N and i30 Fastback N), that’s definitely not the case for us. The tune we have in the Fastback is more an evolution from the Australian hatch,” said Mr Tuitahi.

“The hatch will adopt this tune at some point this year,” he said, with the changes including a thinner front anti-rollbar, a softer front end spring rate and longer, softer bump stops, with the rear seeing the addition of a camber control arm to help it feel a bit more tail-happy. 

Hyundai has also stated that supply shouldn’t be any issue moving forward. When the first batch of N hatches came online, there was a wait period spanning months due to high demand. 

“The factory has really come to the party when it comes to improving supply,” said Mr Tuitahi, stating that 11,000 cars have been sold since it debuted, and an impressive 10 per cent of those sold in Australia. 

“Everyone was surprised by the uptake of the car, globally. They’ve really sorted out a good solution, and I don’t think we’ll have any issue getting the cars that we want,” he said. 

And that includes the automatic version, which is expected to see considerably more demand than the manual. Until that model comes online, customers may have to accept the lesser N-Line version, which has 150kW/265Nm (as opposed to 206kW/378Nm). 

Would you choose an auto or a manual Hyundai i30 N? Tell us in the comments section below.