New Hyundai i30 N 2021 dual-clutch automatic detailed: VW Golf GTI-fighting hot hatch to score two-pedal option next year

Hyundai has gone official with its newest dual-clutch automatic transmission that will make its way to the Australian i30 N hot hatch in 2021.

Breaking cover in the Veloster N, which is available only in the US and South Korea, the latest transmission from Hyundai is a wet dual-clutch unit with eight speeds that is expected to broaden the appeal of its i30 N.

Paired with the new transmission, the Veloster N will accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds – matching its six-speed manual counterpart.

Expect to see performance in the automatic i30 N remain similar to its manual counterpart then, which can dispatch the landmark acceleration run in 6.1s thanks to its 202kW/353Nm 2.0-liter turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine.

According to Hyundai, the new transmission “comes with video game-like features that enhance driving fun” as well, such as ‘N Grin Shift’ that amps up torque by seven per cent to 378Nm thanks to a turbocharger overboost function for 20s.

For reference, the manual version of the i30 N also sports the same overboost function.

An ‘N Power Shift’ feature is also included, which stays in the torque band when upshifting at more than 90 per cent throttle.

Finally, the N Track Sense Shift feature can pre-select gears depending on driving conditions, such as downhill or racetrack settings, for “optimal performance”, according to Hyundai.

The automatic Veloster N also retains functions such as rev matching and launch control, while also gain steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, so expect also see them on the two-pedal i30 N.

Exact pricing for the Australian automatic i30 N is still unclear, but the manual hot hatch kicks off at $40,990 before on-road costs, so expect to pay a premium for the dual-clutch auto.

Local timing is also unknown at this point, but the automatic i30 N hatch is expected to launch overseas later this year, pushing its Australian debut to 2021, possibly alongside the facelifted standard i30 range.


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