Hyundai i20 N looks set to be Hyundai's next hot 'N' car - should arrive in 2018

Hyundai i20 N looks set to be Hyundai’s next hot ‘N’ car (i30 N pictured)

The Hyundai i30 N – the first performance car from Hyundai’s new ‘N’ sub-brand – will be followed by a second N model in 2018 – likely the Hyundai i20 N.

Hyundai’s new N sub-brand of performance cars is about to become a reality with the official unveiling of the production i30 N looming but, to no one’s great surprise, the i30 N is just the start for the new sub-brand.

Hyundai’s performance boss, Albert Biermann, has confirmed more ‘N’ models are on the way, and although he didn’t shout out which models are due to be turned in to appealing performance cars, it does seem all but certain it will be the i20.

With the arrival of the next N model after the i30 N scheduled for 2018, and with Hyundai’s outing in WRC with the i20, it would be most odd if it wasn’t the i20 N on the way next.

So assuming the Hyundai i20 N is the next model out of the gate for Hyundai, what is it likely to offer?

Clearly more power is a must, and it will need to be enough to tackle the cars Hyundai will compete with – the Ford Fiesta ST and Polo GTI – so it’s going to need the best part of 200bhp.

The most likely candidate to deliver what the i20 N will need is probably the 1.6 litre petrol engine announced for the new Hyundai Kona, which already delivers a healthy 174bhp, so boosting it in the i20 N to match the 197bhp the new Fiesta ST and new Polo GTI deliver.

Beyond the power, the new i20 N will get new suspension, new brakes and a body kit, and with the progress Hyundai has made with the i30 N at their Nurburgring facility don’t be surprised if we start to see the i20 N turning up in disguise later this year.

We’re also hoping the i20 N will arrive based on the very good Hyundai i20 Coupe.