The Hyundai i30N 'N Option' is the i30 N customized to your preferences. Yes, the i30 N is already one of the best hot hatches on the market, but Hyundai reckons their customers want to make the cars their own, which is where the 'N Option' steps in.

The Korean manufacturer thinks the 274-horsepower i30 N could take on some visual enhancements to make it look even meaner. That's why Hyundai brought the i30 N 'N Option' Concept to Paris. Yes, a concept, not the production-ready version. Granted, Hyundai assures us that this concept is the face of things to come in terms of ways you can personalize your own i30 N - as well as other Hyundais from the N lineup in the future.

Performance figures weren't altered with the 'N Option', but we don't think that is a must. I mean, the i30 N already has a top speed of 155 mph from that buzzing 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot and 260 pound-feet of torque at just 1,500 rpm.

Read on to find out more about the i30N 'N Option'

2018 Hyundai i30 N 'N Option'

Specifications
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  • Model: 2018 Hyundai i30 N 'N Option'
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What makes the Hyundai i30 N 'N Option' special

Hyundai has been busy this past couple of years N-ifying the i30, as well as other models from their range. First came the i30 N with its striking light blue paintwork, red inserts, mean grilles, and big wheels. Then, this summer, Hyundai presented the i30 'N Line' which is a styling pack for the i30 that brings some performance enhancements but sits well under the proper i30 N in terms of specs. It is basically a more sedated i30 N with just 144-horsepower from the most powerful engine available for the usual i30s and some styling cues borrowed from its big brother - and bucket seats.

What the 'N Line' is to the normal i30 is 'N Option' to the i30 N. Confused? Well, you'd be excused with so many Ns around, but what Hyundai is doing, in essence, is offering potential customers a wider range of interior and exterior customization options which come under the 'N Option' umbrella.

"With our N portfolio, we are shaking up the competition, and bringing new performance and emotions for our customers. The development of our N vehicles is grounded in Motorsport and our engagement there is the pinnacle of N," said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President High-Performance Vehicles & Motorsport Division at Hyundai Motor Group. "The new i30 'N-Line' and our i30 N ‘N Option’ show car illustrate our dual approach to customization, making N available to a wider audience."

Some of them are previewed on this concept, such as, a bigger wing on the C-pillars which is made out of carbon fiber or the carbon fiber hood with bigger air inlets or the quad exhaust tips out the back. The front splitter, the side skirts as well as the lower part of the rear bumper are also different on this 'N Option' Concept, so we guess these are other add-ons you may be able to put on your hot hatch to make it look more muscular.

The piece-de-resistance, however, must be the 20-inch alloy wheels equipped with semi-slick tires. What semi-slick means is that it will give you incredible grip in the dry and almost none in the wet, so be mindful of that.

The interior is also refined. You've got Alcantara leather on the bucket seats, the steering wheel, a few red character lines to match those on the outside as well as a lot of carbon accents all over the interior. The pedals and the shifter knob are also different on the concept car. What's unknown, though, is precisely which of those 25 personalization options will be. We also seem to spot slightly bigger brakes behind those 10-spoke rims which shouldn't be part of the deal as Hyundai's only mentioning visual enhancements. Time will give us all the questions, and we sure can't wait to have them because the concept looks awesome!

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Hyundai i30 N.

Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai i30 N Fastback.

Read our full review on the 2018 Hyundai i30 Fastback.

Read our full review on the 2018 Hyundai i30.