Hyundai is exhibiting the extreme, race-ready RN30 concept car at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, to show everyone it wants to be taken seriously in the performance stakes.
The RN30 is seen as a taster for the i30 N that will take the good fight to the likes of Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford Focus ST and Renault Megane RS. This show car is far more radical, however, with dihedral doors, and a wide-body kit plus huge 19-inch racing alloys. The roll-cage and quick fuel filler demonstrate this car was built for speed. The body additions are lightweight plastic developed by BASF.
The interior is a minimalist and purpose-built environment with plenty of telemetry and the ability to adjust suspension and engine settings. The centre console incorporates all the car’s major controls.
Powered by a 2.0-litre 280kW/451Nm four-cylinder, the RN30 channels its power through a dual-clutch gearbox and all-wheel drive. The i30 N production car is set to be front-wheel drive with around 200kW.
Cameras inside the car sit on gimbals to keep the feed stable while driving along. Albert Biermann, head of the N-division had the following to say:
“RN30 embodies the concept of a strong, high-performance car that brings dynamic, sporty driving. Soon to evolve into our first N model, the RN30 is inspired by our passion to provide a high-performance car that everybody can enjoy effortlessly. We have drawn on our technological expertise – honed through our motorsport successes – to deliver emotional delight through an engaging blend of performance and control, the goal Hyundai’s N strives to achieve in future performance models.”
If there is enough of a positive reaction to the car, it may pave the way for a hotter model above the upcoming i30 N, which should come here next year after the cooking i30’s debut.
