Hyundai i30 GT with 1.6 Turbo planned?

Are Hyundai planning a hot hatch i30 GT? (5-door 2012 i30 pictured)

It’s reported that Hyundai are planning a hot hatch GT version of the 3-door i30 due in 2013 with a 200bhp 1.6 litre turbo.

With all the progress Hyundai has made in the last few years to become a credible threat to mainstream cars from Europe and Japan, the next step must be in the performance and luxury realm.

We’ve already had the rumours about a new Genesis luxury brand from Hyundai resurface after a Hyundai man in Australia declared Genesis on the way (although Hyundai UK tell us there are no such plans for Europe), and the news that the new Veloster will come with a 1.6 litre turbo option delivering over 200bhp.

The next logical step is a performance model of a mainstream Hyundai, and that looks to be on the cards when Hyundai reveal the 3-door version of the new i30 in 2012.

With the new 1.6 litre turbo engine revealed and confirmed for the Veloster, the rumour mill is now betting on that new engine finding its way in to Hyundai’s Golf-bashing i30. Throw in some sensible aerodynamic bits – new bumpers, spoiler, sills and the like – chuck on a set of interesting alloys, tweak the suspension and brakes, add some sporty trim and sports seats on the inside and you’ve got a very convincing three door hot hatch to make Ford and VW trepidatious.

Don’t bet on the three-door i30 arriving with a GT offering when it launches, but there’s so much logic in an i30 GT we really can’t see it not happening.