2020 Hyundai i30 N Project C – Lighter, Lower And More Aggressive. 2020 Hyundai i30 N Project C – Drive, Interior and Exterior. Subscribe.
With the i30 N Project C, Hyundai has made no compromises in order to optimise 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.
The i30 N Project C is 6 mm closer to the road – with centre 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 together remove a surprising 4.66 kgs as here they are made from aluminium 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 the required agility and predictability while on race-track quality tarmac in the hands of more experienced drivers.
The i30 N Project C’s unique specifications include clearly visible carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) body parts lacquered smooth to show the perfect carbon fibre 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 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.
