Hyundai took this year's Paris Motor Show by storm with two exciting production cars, including the redesigned i30, but none are as hot as the RN30 concept. And not because concept cars are usually more futuristic than production models. In this case, the exciting part has to do with the fact that the RN30 previews the company's upcoming line of performance road cars, the first of which will be the i30 N.

As the name suggests, the show car is based on the new-generation i30. This is also evident in the styling cues, but the concept is obviously an extremely beefed-up version of the standard hatchback. Actually, it looks like a car that's ready to hit the race track and to some extent it reminds me of the rally-spec i20 WRC.

Much like the race car that brought Hyundai back into rallying, the RN30 concept was developed by the company's Motorsport division in Germany. Although based on the i30, the two share only a few styling features outside the general shape, the headlamps and the front grille. The hatchback sports a vented hood, beefed-up fenders and side skirts, and a comprehensive aerodynamic kit that includes a revised grille, winglets, a big splitter, and a roof wing that embraces the entire upper section of the tailgate.

Although the headlamps and taillights are also based on the standard model, they've been revised throughout, featuring square LED units integrated into blacked-out frames. The rear diffuser is out of this world, being a massive carbon piece with two big exhaust pipes at the center. Visually, the RN30 is one menacing concept. It aggressive design is backed by a turbocharged, 2.0-liter engine that cranks out an amazing 375 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque.

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Why it matters

Hyundai has launched quite a few exciting cars recently, ranging from the redesigned i20 and i30 to its brand-new Genesis luxury sub-brand. However, the RN30 concept is by far the most spectacular vehicle it has build in recent years, sitting above every RM concept in just about every department. The fact that it's also packed with high-performance technology and it's not just a good-looking shell also adds credence to Hyundai's big plans for the N performance division. Granted, the i30 N won't be as menacing as this show car, but it will definitely be the most aggressive production model the Korean automaker has built to date.

Read our full review on the upcoming Hyundai i30 N here.