The Hyundai i20 N and i30 N hot hatchbacks will remain available in Australia and are set to receive styling updates later this year, even though they have been discontinued in Europe, where they are primarily sold.
According to a spokesperson from the company, Hyundai has decided to keep selling the i20 N and i30 N in Australia for the foreseeable future. This decision comes after the news broke that production of these models had ceased in Europe, marking the end of their availability in that region.
Despite the discontinuation in Europe, Hyundai has been working on improvements for the i30 N and i20 N models, as seen in spy photos and confirmed by company executives. While they may not be sold in Europe, the updates are still on track for release in Australia and other regions where the cars are still popular.
In a statement to foreign media, Hyundai Europe announced that production of the petrol-powered N models had ceased in Europe as of February. The company is now focusing on developing high-performance electric vehicles to align with the growing trend towards electric cars in the region.
This shift in strategy is surprising considering the plans outlined by Hyundai just a year ago. At that time, there were indications of a refreshed i30 N hatch set to launch in October 2023, as well as plans for a new i20 N model in mid-2023.
Although the future of the i30 N and i20 N hot hatches remains uncertain, recent spy photos of updated i30 N prototypes suggest that there may still be hope for these models in Australia. The company has not yet confirmed its plans for these vehicles, but it is expected that the refreshed models will be available later this year.
Investor documents reveal that Hyundai produced over 7,000 i30 N and 8,000 i20 N hatchbacks last year, with a significant portion of them sold in Europe. In contrast, sales in Australia were lower but still significant, indicating a strong market for these models in the region.
In conclusion, while the future of the i30 N and i20 N hot hatches may be uncertain, Hyundai remains committed to the N range in Australia. Alongside the existing models, the company plans to introduce the i30 Sedan N and the Ioniq 5 N electric vehicle, catering to a diverse range of customers in the Australian market.
Alex Misoyannis, a renowned car journalist, has been following this development closely, providing valuable insights and updates on the situation. With his expertise and passion for cars, he continues to shed light on the evolving landscape of the automotive industry.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Hyundai i30 N and i20 N hot hatches, as the future of these models unfolds in the Australian market.
