i30 N Project C Premiere at Frankfurt Motor Show | Hyundai N

10 September 2019 - At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Hyundai Motor launches the i30 N Project C limited edition, a lighter, lower and more extreme version of the critically acclaimed i30 N.

The Project C interpretation of the brand’s first-ever high-performance model intensifies the i30 N experience using ‘added lightness’ and even more responsive handling – for more smiles for our most demanding drivers. It is 50 kgs lighter (officially: 50.004 kgs lighter), sits 6 mm closer to the road, and features strong exterior and interior design.

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Inspired by motorsport, the i30 N is Hyundai Motor’s original high-performance car wearing the N badge. The car debuted in 2017 to rave reviews and multiple awards. Built on the i30 five-door, it was developed from the ground up to deliver the maximum 'fun-to-drive' feeling in everyday life on the road as well as on the track. N is Hyundai Europe’s emotional expression for dedicated customers, and Project C is its truest expression yet.

The i30 N Project C’s unique specifications include clearly visible carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) body parts that are lacquered smooth to show the perfect carbon fiber weave. The front splitter, rear diffuser, bonnet and N-branded side sills are all made from CFRP, making the special edition model not just lighter but also tighter to the tarmac at high speed while being stunning to look at. Despite featuring a larger frontal area and standing lower to the ground, the Project C drag coefficient of 0.32 remains the same as on the i30 N. Meanwhile, dedicated aerodynamic touches placed high and low on Project C also contribute to an exhilaratingly quicker but even more steady drive for confident curve slicing.

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Why the letter ‘C’ specifically? First, the ‘Area C’ high-performance test track at Hyundai Namyang R&D Center is the birthplace of N. Furthermore, Project C is the first time that Hyundai used carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) body parts for a road car. Lastly, the effective center of gravity for Project C is lowered by 8.8 mm as compared to the 275-PS specification of i30 N. These three Cs combine to make this captivating performance car possible.

i30 N Project C cuts weight with CFRP and aluminium

With the i30 N Project C, Hyundai has made no compromises to optimize the i30 N's high-performance credentials. The forged OZ racing wheels play a big part in vital unsprung weight reduction. The imposing 19-inch wheels alone account for 22 kgs of shed weight.

Using CFRP in the bonnet (-7.2 kgs), both side sills (-499 grams each), front splitter (+240 grams of pure aerodynamic function and good looks), newly designed integrated rear diffuser (-386 grams) as well as the lighter manually operated Sabelt® competition front bucket seats with CFRP backings (-7.5 kgs each), helps account for the lost weight. The Sabelt seats also provide the driver and front passenger with perfect lateral and shoulder support in an enhanced seating position geared toward performance driving.

Power remains 275 PS and overboost-torque at 378 Nm as with the i30 N with Performance Package, while the i30 N Project C’s reduced weight and added responsiveness make for noticeably enhanced feedback to the driver.

Optimised dynamics

The i30 N Project C is 6 mm closer to the road – with the center of gravity height effectively 8.8 mm lower – thanks to new internal calibrations for the existing i30 N dampers and new shorter higher-stiffness suspension springs. The rear wheel hangers – or ‘knuckles’ – at the hubs remove a surprising 4.66 kgs as here they are made from aluminum not steel. Project C also has the rear cargo zone stiffness bar of the i30 N’s Performance Package for greater overall balance at higher speeds and particularly during aggressive weight transfers in curves.

Meanwhile, all driving modes have been specifically calibrated for Project C, and both the Sport and N drive modes give drivers greater direct feedback for an even stronger fun-to-drive effect. The extremely dynamic N mode, in this case, is designed for more experienced drivers and the required agility and predictability while on the race-track-quality tarmac.

A sleek and seriously functional design

The Project C interior features Alcantara® highlights, most noticeably around the steering wheel, handbrake, and manual shift lever. Like many of the changes inside the car, the brushed aluminum billet manual shift knob – shaped like a piston head – combines functionality and design, fitting perfectly in the hand for the short precise shifts. Not only the brake calipers outside but also all seat belts inside feature the Deep Orange color theme used for Project C details. The completely new Sabelt bucket seats got Deep Orange stitching and stripes, and the Deep Orange color theme continues on the drive mode and N-mode thumb paddles on the steering wheel. A limited-edition xx/600 badge on the passenger side signals the exclusiveness of this limited edition.

The exterior design is dominated by dark matte grey, with all CFRP parts presenting the coveted carbon fiber weave in high gloss.

With Project C, Hyundai pushes the limits of the i30 N, providing an all-new experience as well as pure dynamic and responsive satisfaction.

Visitors to the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) will be able to experience the public world premiere of the i30 N Project C on 11 September. The new model will be strictly limited to 600 units and starts deliveries in select markets across Europe later this year.