After having announced the N Line brand for India, sources have confirmed that the Hyundai i20 N Line will be the first car from the brand to make it here. We can also confirm that the i20 N Line will get two transmission options: the iMT and the DCT, and will only be available with the 1-litre turbo-petrol engine. There will be no manual on offer.
You might need to take a second look at the i20 N Line to find out it's subtle but evident differentiators. While the styling is familiar, the N Line badging is prominently present to indicate this is not a stock i20. The N Line also gets 17-inch wheels, though it is unclear whether these will be offered here. You get a blacked out grille and cladding all around the car, on the front lip and the side skirts as well. The diffuser-like design with a dual-exhaust muffler is a nice touch. The N Line does not go overboard to show off its sporty design intent, but the subtle tweaks do make for a sharper looking car. You can expect the N Line to get different colour options, exclusive to the variant.
The interior of the N Line will be identical to the one on the current i20. In addition to the host of kit already offered by the stock car, the N Line will also get red accents on the door pads and red stitching to the seats. The N Line will also get a branded steering wheel and gear lever, exclusive to the variant. This cabin with a sportier focus is bound to make it more appealing to an enthusiast.
Sources have informed us that the N Line will remain mechanically identical to the i20 currently on sale. The N Line will only be offered with the turbo-petrol engine from the stock car, a 1-litre 3-cylinder that produces 118bhp and 172Nm of torque. It will get two transmission options – a 7-speed DCT and Hyundai’s iMT transmission. Sadly, a manual gearbox will be missed out on the i20 N Line. Interestingly, the N Line is offered with mild-hybrid tech globally, with a 48-volt electric motor assisting the engine. However, it is unclear whether this tech will make its way to our shores.
By offering the i20 N Line in India and not its full-fat performance version, the i20 N, the Hyundai is likely to be more appealing to enthusiasts than before. With the additions over the regular car, the N Line will likely be priced at a premium over the regular i20. The upside is that Hyundai’s N Line will now be more accessible to enthusiasts, possibly giving the largely unchallenged Polo GT an i20-sized headache.