The previous Fiesta ST may need been lavished with important acclaim on either side of the Atlantic, however after a really disappointing toe-in-the-water train that resulted in simply 35,000 STs discovering North American properties over seven years, Ford determined to not convey its alternative to the U.S.
Within the wake of the Fiesta ST’s mediocre gross sales outing, it’s maybe no shock to listen to that the U.S. can also be not getting the Ford’s new rival from Hyundai, the i20 N. That’s an actual disgrace as a result of pocket-sized scorching hatches are probably the most accessible efficiency vehicles not quite a lot of {dollars} should purchase, Hyundai has already proved the credibility of its N merchandise with vehicles just like the Veloster N, and the recent i20 is claimed to be impressed by nothing lower than the Korean model’s 2019/2020 WRC rally weapon.
So in the event you’re in a market the place the i20 N is accessible, must you purchase one over a Fiesta ST, and in the event you’re stateside, must you be lobbying Hyundai USA to get a bunch of the issues on a ship double-quick? We grabbed the keys to a UK automobile to search out out.
Rally refugee will get actual
The most important hurdle for any junior scorching hatch is attempting to make an fanatic automobile from a daily supermini that was designed to mooch about city at low speeds and promote for low costs. Within the UK the bottom non-N i20 prices £16,500 ($22,000), however that swells to £24,995 ($33,000) as soon as the efficiency fairy mud has been sprinkled over it. Sure, that’s greater than Individuals pay for a 275 hp Veloster N, however vehicles are a lot pricier in Europe.
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Fortunately the bottom i20, to our eyes a minimum of, is without doubt one of the sharper-looking superminis on the block and the i20 N ramps up its visible punch with some lower than refined enhancements that assist soothe the sting of that value. Sitting 1.5-in (38 mm) decrease than normal hatch, there are completely different entrance and rear bumpers, facet skirts, 18-inch rims with cool aero flicks on every spoke, plus a big diffuser, compulsory vast exhaust and imposing boot lid spoiler that appears like a shrunken take of the large appendage that hangs off the again of the i20 Coupe WRC automobile.
Talking of the fully-fledged racer that spent most of 2021 scything via forests at greater than 120 mph, in contrast to the Toyota GR Yaris there’s little to truly tie the i20 N highway automobile and competitors racer, aside from it makes use of the identical sized 1.6-litre turbo and weighs an similar 2624 lbs (1190 kg).
Classier than anticipated
As most Fiesta ST homeowners will attest, purchase a small scorching hatch and its crucial you overlook the cheap-feeling plastics throughout the cabin and be content material that the event finances was invested elsewhere, totally on the {hardware} that helps guarantee your automobile is as enjoyable to drive as potential.
Within the Hyundai i20 N you don’t really feel fairly as short-changed. We wouldn’t go so far as saying it’s going to bother costlier German rivals for its premium really feel – the brittle door handles and onerous plastic door tops destroy that – however the full digital instrument cluster, infotainment and local weather management switches all look pinched from a costlier automobile. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto each work and there’s additionally free wi-fi charging and USB ports each entrance and rear.
Extra excellent news: it’s straightforward to discover a first rate driving place and the motive force’s seat isn’t mounted too excessive. The perch itself isn’t sourced from Recaro and doesn’t fairly clamp you as onerous as you’d need, however each entrance seats are snug.
Not like the compromised coupe-cum-hatch Veloster N bought within the U.S., the i20 N is even fairly sensible. Although clearly a smaller automobile, the seats might be dropped flat, you get two rear doorways, and there’s an honest sufficient boot. However few folks purchase a small scorching hatch as a result of they will squeeze an IKEA Billy bookcase in it on the weekend.
No engineering stone left unturned
Straight out of the field the Hyundai i30 N was an actual scorching hatch contender, or a minimum of it has been in markets the place it’s obtainable (not within the U.S., sadly), so it’s maybe no shock that its little brother impresses on first acquaintance.
Earlier than we get to the driving it’s price geeking-out over the numerous adjustments the small i20 has undergone to earn its ‘N’ standing. The work started with the shell being bolstered in 12 locations to spice up structural rigidity, and many of the bolstering included strengthening the entrance subframe and including a rear brace within the baggage space.
On paper, it appears just like the child N carries over the common inventory entrance pseudo-MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam, however each have been considerably uprated for the i20 N. There’s additionally a brand new anti-roll bar on the rear axle, greater brakes, a six-speed guide transmission, plus a correct Torsen-style mechanical limited-slip differential.
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Eager to recoup on its appreciable funding at its large R&D, plus its facility in Namyung, Korea, and the Nurburgring, Germany, all of the {hardware} has been developed in-house with solely the tires outsourced to Pirelli, who conjured up a particular compound for its bespoke P Zero rubber.
The proof is within the driving
Hyundai has developed the i20 N to be nothing wanting the perfect small scorching hatch in a technology however, initially, it’s a little bit of combined bag behind the wheel. The excellent news is the punchy efficiency it delivers off the road. Formally, the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder delivers 201 hp (204 PS) and 203 Ib ft (275 Nm) of torque, with the latter churned out from simply 1750 rpm.
In actuality it feels a lot faster than its 6.2 second 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) official time and it’s no shock some are reporting match and wholesome examples will simply blitz its official claims utilizing its normal launch management and a few quick wrist motion on the obligatory six-speed guide transmission.
What isn’t so good is the 1.6 turbo’s lack of vitality and enthusiasm going about its work. It’s not a motor to relish visiting its 6800 rpm cut-out. We have been additionally left bemused by the shockingly unhealthy throttle response in all however its most excessive driving modes (we’ll clarify these later) and it’s much more irritating rev-hang characteristic. The latter is little doubt mandatory to forestall nasty spikes in tailpipe emissions.
Higher within the bends
Fortunately, the i20 N’s dynamic repertoire claws again a substantial benefit. Initially, you could be a bit of upset that the Hyundai feels extra grown up and mature in comparison with the extra playful Fiesta ST. There’s restricted adjustability in the best way it goes about its work, however traction, each within the moist and dry is phenomenal, whereas the front-end musters large ranges of grip, permitting you to essentially ramp up the tempo.
Higher nonetheless, the i20 N is a automobile that relishes a extra aggressive driving model, with its diff all the time keen (and in a position) to pull you out of sticky conditions, even these involving four-wheel drifts. Like its N brethren, brake pedal really feel is great and affords highly effective retardation. The gearshift is nice too and though the steering would possibly lack really feel, its precision is unquestioned.
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Up to now, you would possibly suppose a small scorching hatch with six driving modes could be overkill – however within the i20 N it encourages you to discover extra of what’s on supply. We love that each the rev-match characteristic and the ESP might be utterly switched off and that there’s truly one other setting to allow left-foot braking.
The reply’s all the time Miata, isn’t it?
In fact, there are a lot different methods to crack the reasonably priced efficiency automobile nut, even within the absence of each the Fiesta ST and the i20 N. Not least the less expensive Mazda MX-5 ($26,830) however we’d argue that the i20 has an much more mischievous character than a inventory Miata, would hold you grinning on highway and observe, plus has the advantage of being sensible sufficient to be your solely automobile.
On the finish of the day we are able to’t assist however lament {that a} extra smart, grippier tackle the Fiesta ST with added composure can’t discover extra consumers right here, as a result of regardless of its faults there’s so much to love in regards to the new i20 N.