What's the news?
We've known for some time that Hyundai was going to launch its own in-house high-performance brand to give itself a rival to the likes of Volkswagen's GTI line-up, Ford's ST and, eventually, BMW M and Mercedes-AMG. This concept car, the RN30, is the latest physical proof of that plan and it will be shown at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.
Based on the 2017 Hyundai i30, the RN30 was developed in close collaboration with Hyundai Motorsport (HMSG), Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center (HMETC) and Hyundai Motor's Performance Development & High Performance Vehicle Division. It wears a very Touring Car-esque body kit, and rumour has it that under the bonnet is a new 2.0-litre turbo engine with as much as 265hp. From this image, it also looks as if the body shell might be that of the upcoming four-door coupe version of the i30, so it may also be a first glimpse at Hyundai's expanded i30 family.
Either way, it will be revealed in Paris next week and Hyundai says that it has been "developed to deliver passion and pleasure on the track for everybody."