Hyundai i30 N Project C Makes World Debut in Frankfurt

Hyundai launched the i30 N Project C, na Europe-only hot-hatch, at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Along with the Hyundai 45, the Korean manufacturer unveiled the i30 N Project C. The Project C is a 5-door hatchback is a “lighter, lower, more aggressive version of the top 275-PS spec i30 N five-door.”

Limited to only 600 copies, and only available in Europe, the Hyundai i30 N Project C was thoroughly tested at both Namyang R&D and the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Project C stands for 3 things starting with the letter C: Area C, Carbon fibre and Centre of gravity.

Area C is the high-performance test track at Hyundai Namyang R&D Center. Carbon fibre, because it’s the first Hyundai production car to sport carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) body panels. Finally, the i30 N Project C’s centre of gravity is 8.8 mm lower than the 275-PS specification of i30 N.

A total of 50 kilograms was shed compared to the 275-PS specification of i30 N thanks to the CFRP. The hood alone helped save 7.2 of those kgs. However, the forged 19-inch OZ racing wheels allowed the weight to go down by 22 kgs.

“The i30 N Project C is the next emotional step in following the success of the i30 N, demonstrating that Hyundai is pushing the envelope even more to excite motorsport enthusiasts,” says Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Product Division. “With this limited edition, we have strategically reduced the weight of the car where it can help most, made its overall handling more immediate and optimised its design for even greater performance.”