by Hyundai prepares farewell special editions for petrol ‘hot’ hatchbacks i20 N and i30 N
Hyundai’s N division, although it has moved into the fully electric era with sporty versions of the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, has not forgotten its petrol hatchbacks. In Australia, the current generations of the i20 N and i30 N are still available, and the local brand representative plans to give them a loud ‘farewell fireworks display.’
The i30 N has been in production since the end of 2016, having undergone updates in 2020 and 2024. The i20 N appeared in 2020 and received light changes in 2025. Both models were discontinued in Europe back in 2024, but they continue to be sold in Australia despite the end of production.
Special farewell series
Tim Rodgers, product development manager at Hyundai Australia, told CarExpert about the availability of the petrol hatchbacks:
Both cars are still arriving in the country. We continue to unload them from ships, and deliveries will continue. For the i20 N – until the end of the year, for the i30 N – even longer.
Rodgers also had a small surprise for fans:
But when we reach the end of production for each of these cars, we want to give them a loud finale. We are preparing something interesting for N fans. We are working on it, and you will soon learn more about what we will do for the i20 N to properly say goodbye to this model. But this is not a farewell forever, it’s just a ‘goodbye’ for a while.
If the i20 N has not previously received special versions, the i30 N has already had limited series: the light Project C in 2019 and the Drive-N Limited Edition in 2022. It is not yet known whether the future farewell special editions will offer improvements in design, chassis, or performance compared to the standard models.
Electrification on the horizon
Looking ahead, the next chapter for the subcompact segment is already taking shape. Early spy photos suggest that the i20 will be completely redesigned, gaining Y-shaped LEDs and a more angular silhouette. As for the N version, it is expected to replace the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with a hybrid system, which will mean the end of the manual transmission.
Electrification could provide more power and performance while improving environmental indicators and protecting the model’s future from stricter emissions regulations. It could also become a hybrid alternative to the fully electric Ioniq 3 N, which is the subject of active rumors.
For the aging i30, spy photos of camouflaged prototypes hint at a third update that could extend its life cycle. It is expected to debut in 2027, possibly alongside a top-tier N version. The compact hatchback could also receive a hybrid setup, allowing it to return to the European market.
Thus, Hyundai is not just saying goodbye to its petrol ‘hot’ hatchbacks but is preparing a worthy finale for them in Australia, while simultaneously laying the foundation for their future with hybrid powertrains. This indicates that the company is not abandoning its sporty models but adapting them to new market demands, preserving the spirit of the N division, but with greater environmental friendliness and modern technology. The farewell special editions will serve as a kind of bridge between the era of pure internal combustion engines and the new hybrid era, allowing fans to enjoy the last models in their classic execution.
