The Hyundai i10 N Line is a Turbocharged Pocket Rocket

About a week ago, Hyundai showed off its new i10—their smallest car that comes packing with tech normally found in larger, more expensive cars. Their engineers wasted no time in coming up with a hotted up version and naturally, it falls under Hyundai’s sporty N Line: meet the i10 N Line.

Now, for those attuned to Hyundai’s name convention, N Line models typically feature just aesthetics and handling upgrades rather than full-blown sporty changes. For the i10 N Line they’ve made an exception and bolted in a turbocharged engine too.

Granted that the 1.0-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged motor in the i10 N Line won’t light up the spec sheet on fire, but imagine 100 horsepower and 172 Nm of torque in a car that’ll probably weigh just a ton—you have a recipe for a true pocket rocket. The best part? Hyundai’s not bolting on any fancy transmission here, they’re sticking to a tried-and-tested 5-speed manual.

Along with the new engine, the i10 N Line has exterior and interior enhancements to communicate its newfound sportiness. These include redesigned bumpers, a new grille, re-designed LED DRLs, and of course spattering of red hues (including on the i10 badge itself). The changes out are completed by exclusive 16-inch alloy wheels shod with 195/45 R 16 tires. Inside, it gets red air vent rings, sportier seats, and of course, N-branding on the steering wheel and shifter.

The Hyundai i10 N Line is actually the fouth “forbidden fruit” in the N Line. Destined only for Europe, it joins the i30, i30 Fastback, and Tucson in getting an N Line variant. For the Philippines, the only N Line available (by order basis) is the Veloster N.

Hyundai's 2020 i10 Brings Full-Sized Tech Into Smallest Hatchback

Hyundai is showing off the smallest member of the family with the all-new i10. Designed, developed, and made with European sensibilities in mind, the i10 is global in its reach sold in markets such as India (as the Grand i10 Nios). And while small, Hyundai says it’s full-featured hence its tagline of, “Go Big.”

The 2020 i10 is certainly youthful and dynamic. Proportionally, it’s lower and wider than the previous model, emphasized further by the wide front grille, round LED DRLs, and horizontal creases at the back to break the soft surfaces of the hatch. The side uses triangular lines to emphasize width, while the X-shaped C-pillar contains a pillar-mounted logo.

Inside, it continues its youthful look by adding stuff like a honeycomb 3D pattern on the dashboard and protruding air vents. Nonetheless, designers have also imbued it with larger storage compartments as well as an extra open storage compartment above the glovebox.

For its powertrain, the i10 comes with two engine choices: a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder making 67 horsepower and 96 Nm of torque, and a 1.2-liter 4-cylinder with 84 horsepower and 118 Nm of torque. The transmission options are a 5-speed MT, and get this, a 5-speed AMT or automated manual transmission. Hyundai says this helps improve the i10’s efficiency thanks to its lighter weight and reduced friction. And for those who want to hypermile, a special ECO pack is also available and this comes with adjusted gear ratios, four seats (!), and miniscule 14-inch wheels.

In terms of safety, the all-new i10 receives the Hyundai SmartSense—a suite of active safety and driving assistance features that enable it to comply with the highest European safety standards. It has Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, High Beam Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Intelligent Speed Limit Warning.

It remains to be seen whether Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) will sell the third-generation i10 in the Philippines. While the original i10 was well-received, the Grand i10 that followed didn’t have the same success. Having said that, HARI already sources products from India such as the all-new Accent.