The Real Hyundai N Line That Is Not Launched In India

Car enthusiasts in India have been geared up for the launch of the Hyundai N Line for a very long time. Earlier this month, they finally got their due. Although only one car model was chosen for the N branding, it is among the most loved cars in the country - the i20, which has been raking up Car of the Year awards year after year. This spruced up racing focused version of the premium hatchback has sporty exteriors inspired from the car's WRC version, and several upgrades under the hood that boost its performance. By the looks of it, it's an excellent choice for ambitious Indian car buyers.

Photo Credit: www.hyundai.com

But there's a catch here. As is the case with so many cars released in India by global manufacturers, the Hyundai i20 N Line is nowhere near what its European model is in terms of performance. Once again, India has gotten the raw end of the deal. While there are many practical considerations that have likely led Hyundai to this decision, it's still quite disappointing to know that the real power of the N Line still hasn't made its way into India. Let us tell you how different the Indian Hyundai i20 N Line is from the real deal.

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Different engine capacities

Photo Credit: www.hyundai.com

The raw power that the European model of the Hyundai i20 N Line exudes is all thanks to the brawny 1.6-litre turbocharged GDi engine that it holds. As you may have guessed, none of the six variants of the Indian version has this engine. As a result, Indian buyers won't have the opportunity to experience a maximum output of 204 PS and a maximum torque of 275 Nm on their Hyundai i20 N Line vehicles. Instead, the Indian i20 N Line has opted for a turbocharged GDi engine that's merely 1-litre in capacity. This results in a maximum output of 120 PS and a maximum torque of 172 Nm.

That's quite a significant difference to ignore. The Euro model goes from 0-100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds with a top speed of 230 km/h. As for the Indian model, Hyundai hasn't yet shared these statistics on its official website.

Missing features

Photo Credit: www.hyundai.com

The car's interiors are also missing a few nifty features. The European model offers an informative Performance Driving Data System, which displays stuff like HP, torque, turbo boost and G-force for the driver to gander at and gain another perspective at their car's extraordinary abilities. Apart from the standard digital cluster display and a monitor for accessing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the Indian model doesn't get any Performance Driving Data System features.

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Another important trait that racing enthusiasts would have loved to see in the Indian N Line is the ability to customize the exhaust sound according to their liking. The feeling that the perfect exhaust sound adds to the overall driving experience is really something. And while the European variant comes with 17-inch wheels, the Indian variant has settled for 16-inch wheels.

Features that do make the cut

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With the engine being a big disappointment, there are plenty of other features that the Indian model of the Hyundai i20 N Line has in common with its European cousin. These include the iconic chequered flag grill that gives the N Line its unique aura. The chequered flag design extends to the interiors as well, with the seats bearing the same pattern along with an N logo. The dual-tone exteriors and the overall race-car-like appearance of the i20 N Line is also something it has common with the European model.

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Availability

There are six trims of the Hyundai i20 N Line that will be made available in India, with all of them offering the underpowered 1-litre turbocharged GDi engine and running on petrol. The base model is the N6 and comes with a manual gearbox. It costs Rs. 9.84 lakh. The next N6 model adds a dual-tone finish and has its price set at Rs. 9.99 lakh. The remaining models fall under the N8 range. While two of them offer manual transmissions, the other two go for Hyundai's dual-clutch automatic transmission system, which also offers paddle shifters. The top trim of the Hyundai i20 N Line can be yours for Rs. 11.91 lakh.

So, what are your thoughts are the Hyundai i20 N Line?