Automotive

Hyundai gives stylish i30 a performance tune-up

Hyundai gives stylish i30 a performance tune-up
The RN30 has been designed specifically for track-use
The RN30 has been designed specifically for track-use
View 32 Images
The RN30 has been designed specifically for track-use
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The RN30 has been designed specifically for track-use
The RN30 is a precursor to an eventual i30 N production hatchback
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The RN30 is a precursor to an eventual i30 N production hatchback
The RN30 has been developed with input from Hyundai Motorsport, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center and Hyundai Motor's Performance Development & High Performance Vehicle Division
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The RN30 has been developed with input from Hyundai Motorsport, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center and Hyundai Motor's Performance Development & High Performance Vehicle Division
The RN30 is an aerodynamic, lightweight motorsport-inspired concept packed with driver tech
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The RN30 is an aerodynamic, lightweight motorsport-inspired concept packed with driver tech
The RN30 has a new 2.0-l turbocharged engine that's been developed for use in Hyudai's N production models
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The RN30 has a new 2.0-l turbocharged engine that's been developed for use in Hyudai's N production models
Hyundai says the RN30's engine boasts an enlarged turbo to increase thrust at full throttle
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Hyundai says the RN30's engine boasts an enlarged turbo to increase thrust at full throttle
The RN30 produces 380 PS, or 374 horses
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The RN30 produces 380 PS, or 374 horses
The RN30 produces a maximum torque of 451 Nm (333 lb.ft)
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The RN30 produces a maximum torque of 451 Nm (333 lb.ft)
A wet-type dual-clutch transmission is aimed at giving the car a sharp pick up after gear changes and helping it to accelerate quickly
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A wet-type dual-clutch transmission is aimed at giving the car a sharp pick up after gear changes and helping it to accelerate quickly
The RN30 uses an all-wheel drive system
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The RN30 uses an all-wheel drive system
Hyundai says the RN30 features a variety of "specialized high-performance technologies"
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Hyundai says the RN30 features a variety of "specialized high-performance technologies"
The exhaust system of the RN30 artificially matches the car's perceived output with an accompanying roar
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The exhaust system of the RN30 artificially matches the car's perceived output with an accompanying roar
The RN30 has an electronic limited-slip differential system for delivering sufficient torque to each wheel, thereby improving control
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The RN30 has an electronic limited-slip differential system for delivering sufficient torque to each wheel, thereby improving control
A rev-matching feature in the RN30's sport mode adjusts the engine revs after gear changes to minimize any drop in pace
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A rev-matching feature in the RN30's sport mode adjusts the engine revs after gear changes to minimize any drop in pace
Hyundai has used newly-developed plastics in place of carbon fiber to keep the weight of the RN30 to a minimum
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Hyundai has used newly-developed plastics in place of carbon fiber to keep the weight of the RN30 to a minimum
The plastics used to minimize the weight of the RN30 were developed in partnership with chemical company BASF
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The plastics used to minimize the weight of the RN30 were developed in partnership with chemical company BASF
Parts that aren't absolutely necessary have been eliminated to help minimize the weight of the RN30
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Parts that aren't absolutely necessary have been eliminated to help minimize the weight of the RN30
Heavy parts of the RN30 have been positioned as close to the ground as possible to help optimize the vehicle's center of gravity
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Heavy parts of the RN30 have been positioned as close to the ground as possible to help optimize the vehicle's center of gravity
The doors of the RN30 open slightly upwards
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The doors of the RN30 open slightly upwards
The RN30 has driver-facing video cameras to capture driver reactions
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The RN30 has driver-facing video cameras to capture driver reactions
The seats in the RN30 have been lowered and pushed back to help improve its center of gravity
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The seats in the RN30 have been lowered and pushed back to help improve its center of gravity
The RN30 has a roll-cage for protection, as well as stiffening up the vehicle
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The RN30 has a roll-cage for protection, as well as stiffening up the vehicle
The RN30 has a racing-type steering wheel
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The RN30 has a racing-type steering wheel
The RN30 has an instrument display mounted behind the steering wheel
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The RN30 has an instrument display mounted behind the  steering wheel
Floating wheel fenders with accompanying splitters are used to provide downforce
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Floating wheel fenders with accompanying splitters are used to provide downforce
The RN30 has bucket seats to keep the driver in place during high speed cornering
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The RN30 has bucket seats to keep the driver in place during high speed cornering
The RN30 has an additional display on its steering wheel, as well as steering wheel mounted controls
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The RN30 has an additional display on its steering wheel, as well as steering wheel mounted controls
The HN30 on the ground in Paris
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The HN30 on the ground in Paris
Hyundai is taking its performance move very, very seriously
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Hyundai is taking its performance move very, very seriously
The wheel is pared back, but still gives the driver information
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The wheel is pared back, but still gives the driver information
Hopefully you won't need to use this
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Hopefully you won't need to use this
Carbon is a big part of the Hyundai HN30's appeal
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Carbon is a big part of the Hyundai HN30's appeal
View gallery - 32 images

Hyundai launched its N sub-brand last year to develop high-performance cars. The latest car to emerge from this stable is the RN30, an aerodynamic, lightweight motorsport-inspired concept reworking of its new i30 that's packed with driver tech.

The RN30 has been developed with input from Hyundai Motorsport, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center and Hyundai Motor's Performance Development & High Performance Vehicle Division. It is designed specifically for track use and, Hyundai tells New Atlas, as a precursor to an eventual, more reigned in, i30 N production hatchback.

The RN30 has a new 2.0-l turbocharged engine that's been developed for use in its N production models, thus we can expect a likely debut in the i30 N. Hyundai says the engine boasts an enlarged turbo to increase thrust at full throttle and that it produces 380 PS (374.6 hp/279.5 kW). It also develops up to 451 Nm (333 lb.ft) of torque.

To manage this, Hyundai has paired the engine with a wet-type dual-clutch transmission that it says gives the car a sharp pick up after gear changes and allows the all-wheel drive vehicle to accelerate quickly.

The HN30 on the ground in Paris
The HN30 on the ground in Paris

Hyundai says the RN30 features a variety of "specialized high-performance technologies." A rev-matching feature in the car's sport mode, for example, adjusts the engine revs after gear changes to minimize any drop in pace and there's an electronic limited-slip differential system for delivering the required torque to each wheel, thereby improving control. More superficially, the exhaust system artificially matches the car's output with an accompanying roar.

To minimize weight, Hyundai has eschewed the common use of carbon fiber and instead has worked with chemical firm BASF to develop new lightweight but strong plastics (though Hyundai is remaining tight-lipped on exactly how much the concept weighs). Elsewhere, parts that aren't absolutely necessary have been jettisoned and heavy parts have been positioned as close to the ground as possible, in order to help optimize the vehicle's center of gravity. With that in mind, the seats have also been lowered and pushed back.

The wheel is pared back, but still gives the driver information
The wheel is pared back, but still gives the driver information

Although based on the i30, the RN30 has been lowered by 84 mm (3.3 in) and widened by 30 mm (1.2 in) for improved high speed and cornering stability, giving it new dimensions of 1,950 x 1,355 mm (76.8 x 53.3 in). Floating wheel fenders with accompanying splitters and a large rear spoiler are used to provide downforce. The radiator grille and front air intake also help in this respect, as well as to draw in cooling air for the engine.

Other exterior touches aimed at adding to the car's look are a top-mounted fin, a rear diffuser set above the exhausts and 19-in alloy wheels.

Inside, there are bucket seats to keep the driver inside the car during high speed cornering and a roll-cage for protection, as well as for stiffening up the vehicle. Finally, to capture all the fun drivers will be having for posterity, Hyundai has kitted out the RN30 with stabilized driver-facing video cameras, as well as a camera mounted on the roof to capture driving footage.

The RN30 has debuted at the Paris Motor Show this week.

Source: Hyundai

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