2021 Hyundai i30 N to have eight-speed dual clutch automatic option

Hyundai has revealed its first look at the updated i30 N, but the biggest news is under the surface: the hot hatch will finally be available as an automatic.

The i30 N has won many accolades in its time — including our Car of the Year in 2018 — but has always been held back by its lack of a self shifter.

From the first half of next year though, it will have the option of an eight-speed dual clutch automatic with “dedicated N performance shifting functions” — which we’re assuming will mean different settings for different drive modes and, hopefully, auto rev matching.

There’s no word as yet on what effect the new transmission will have on acceleration times.

Other changes including newly-developed 19-inch forged alloy wheels which save more than 14kg of unsprung mass, plus design tweaks such as revised front and rear bumpers, two large exhaust pipes, a wide centre grille with the N signature, new rear lamps and new LED headlights with V-shaped daytime running lights.