2024 Hyundai i30 Sedan N facelift delayed for Australia, new details revealed

The updated 2024 Hyundai i30 Sedan N is due in Australia early next year – rather than the end of this year, as previously announced.

The delay has been confirmed alongside the release of new technical details of the updated i30 Sedan N by Hyundai head office in South Korea, as showroom arrivals commence in overseas markets.

Prices for the facelifted i30 Sedan N are yet to be confirmed for Australia. The outgoing model is priced from $50,200 plus on-road costs with a six-speed manual or eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The South Korean-built i30 Sedan N has become the best-selling Hyundai N model in Australia amid stock shortages and production slowdowns for the Turkish-made i20 N and Czech-built i30 N hot hatchbacks, and less healthy demand for the Kona N SUV.

While the covers were lifted off the i30 Sedan N update earlier this year, the latest announcement highlights elements of the car Hyundai claims were inspired by motorsport.

The new front bumper is said to include air ducts to improve brake cooling, while at the rear of the car Hyundai says "a boat tail detail has been added to emphasise the car’s sporty image while improving aerodynamics."

Underneath the revised bodywork there is retuned adaptive suspension, a reinforced engine mount membrane claimed to provide "reduced after shake and improved agility", reinforcement on select suspension bushings, and a "rear suspension S/ABS insulator changed from rubber to urethane on rear support for improved damping and [steering] response."

Hyundai N says the stability-control software has been retuned, in conjunction with the addition of a thermal protector on the front brake hose for improved braking performance on the race track.

It says the steering has been upgraded – both in hardware and software – for improved feedback, while tyre pressures have increased from 35psi front and 33psi rear, to 36psi front and 34psi rear to account for a heavier "front axle load".

Citing customer feedback, elements of the car's software have reportedly been "reprogrammed for optimal use of high-octane petrol," though the engine's peak outputs remain unchanged.

The South Korean-specification models in these images show forged 19-inch alloy wheels, and N Light front sports bucket seats which are currently available on i30 Sedan Ns overseas, but not in Australia.

Hyundai N has previously confirmed the updated i30 Sedan N will adopt adaptive cruise control for the first time, plus a 360-degree camera, Blind-Spot View Monitor side cameras, and in South Korea, two additional airbags in the rear doors.

More details are due closer to the Australian arrival of the 2024 Hyundai i30 Sedan N early next year.