Hyundai i30 R Turbo at Geneva 2013

The anticipated ‘hot’ Hyundai i30 looks like it’s arriving at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with the turbo engine from the Veloster.

It’s nearly a year since we reported that Hyundai were planning to make a performance version of the i30, with the 1.6 litre turbo from the Velsoter Turbo promising decent performance and up to 200bhp.

Now Autoblog in Spain are reporting that a Hyundai i30 RS (or i30 R or i30 GT or i30…) will arrive at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show as a prelude to a 2014 launch. Which makes sense.

Having taken on the VW Golf with the i30 (and scored a direct hit), a Hyundai i30 potentially capable of taking on the Golf GTI  makes a lot of sense, as does basing the i30 R on the latest three door i30 which looks more dynamic than its 5-door sibling.

The usual recipe for a performance version will apply with the i30 R, with a set of go-faster sills, butch bumpers, lowered suspension and a set of nice big alloys giving visual appeal, with the 1.6 litre turbo under the bonnet offering the promise of decent performance through Hyundai’s double clutch auto ‘box.

With the 3-door Hyundai i30 only just arriving, Hyundai don’t seem willing to give us any detail on the i30 R Turbo, but as soon as we can get confirmation we’ll update.