Neuville commented: "The engineers have done a great job on the gearbox and the differential. There is good traction and good stability in the slippery testing conditions, and it's very easy to handle. A normal driver should get a sensation similar to that of a racing car".
Not a bad first impression then, although as usual the real litmus test for the car will be on sealed surfaces. We already know that ex-BMW Motorsport man Albert Biermann is involved, and a quick glance at his past efforts shows that there's a good chance that the i30 N will be a real contender. A power figure of over 260hp can be expected from the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, which will transmit drive through a manual transmission equipped with an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential.
The video below suggests a fruity exhaust note, although Hyundai has been extremely liberal with the camo disguise. The technical details released so far indicate that the car will be well-placed within the front-wheel drive hot hatch segment, so here's hoping that the driving experience and price will deliver the goods.
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