Hyundai's Next i30 N Engine Is Being Built — And It's Getting Bigger

If you've been holding off on pulling the trigger on an i30 N, here's a reason to keep waiting. Hyundai has been stress-testing a prototype next-generation engine at this year's Nurburgring 24-Hour race — and what we know so far suggests the next i30 N will be a serious step up from the already capable current model.

A Bigger Engine Is Coming — But Hyundai's Keeping Quiet on the Details

Hyundai N boss Joon Woo Park confirmed the team ran the new prototype engine in both of their Elantra N1 RP race cars at the Nurburgring — numbered #302 and #303. Both competed in the SP4T class, which covers turbocharged engines with displacement between 2.0 and 2.6 litres. That's the clue right there.

The current i30 N runs a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol producing 206kW and 392Nm — strong numbers for a front-wheel drive hot hatch that still makes sense on WA's mix of metro commuting and long regional runs. But the production version of the new engine is expected to exceed both those outputs. Hyundai hasn't confirmed the exact size, but strong rumours point to an adapted version of the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol already found in the Sonata N Line and Santa Fe.

More power from a larger displacement engine could also mean better real-world flexibility — something that matters when you're cruising the Great Eastern Highway rather than flogging it around a European circuit.

How Did the Race Cars Actually Perform?

The #302 car completed 91 laps over the 24 hours, with its sibling finishing one lap behind — good for third and fourth in class, and 108th and 109th overall. They hit some mechanical issues along the way but were repaired and returned to the track, which is exactly the kind of durability data Hyundai was chasing.

For perspective, the class-winning car was a Subaru WRX running a modified version of its production 2.4-litre FA24 engine, completing 139 laps across approximately 3,527km. So the Hyundais weren't matching the outright pace of the class winner, but finishing the race with a prototype engine under the bonnet — rather than a proven race-spec unit — was the whole point. Hyundai called the data gathered "invaluable" for ensuring the performance and reliability of their next-generation engines.

Separately, Hyundai's Elantra N TCR race car took top honours in its class for the sixth consecutive year — a streak that does the brand's motorsport credentials no harm at all.

What This Means for WA Buyers

Hyundai hasn't confirmed a reveal date for the next-generation i30 N, and Park was deliberately vague on timing. What he did say is that powertrains could remain region-specific — so what Australia gets may differ from Europe or the US, depending on emissions regulations and market demand.

That's relevant for WA buyers to keep in mind. With fuel prices in Perth fluctuating more than most east coast capitals and WA's unique registration and compliance costs, any shift toward hybrid or electrified performance — which Park confirmed is under development alongside pure-petrol options — could affect both the purchase price and the running cost equation significantly.

For now, the current i30 N remains one of the strongest value propositions in the hot hatch segment in Australia. But if you're not in a hurry, the next generation is shaping up to be worth the wait.