Hyundai: A big leap in performance
THERE'S MORE TO COME With the i30 N Performance, Hyundai has put an attractive fun vehicle on wheels. Now the Swiss tuning company Delta Motor has spiced up the engine performance and chassis considerably.
The phrase "wolf in sheep's clothing" is almost unheard of in light of the current discussions. Nevertheless, it comes to mind when talking about the Hyundai i30 N Optima 360. The agile front-wheel drive i30 N, which was developed in Korea and refined to European tastes with Nürburgring testing in order to convey as much driving pleasure as possible, has always been comparatively restrained on the outside. And this has not changed significantly with the Optima 360 version, which has been upgraded by the Swiss tuning company Delta Motor.
Power increase to 360 hp
But the details are. With the new ST XTA plus 3 suspension from KW Automotive, the Delta engine version is now a good 20 millimeters lower, and 245/35 ZR 19 Conti Sport Contact 7 tires are fitted to the Super Light alloy wheels from JR Wheels. The DTC-approved tuning by Delta Motor AG under the hood includes increasing the power of the two-liter four-cylinder engine by a good 28 percent from 280 to 360 hp by modifying the software. At the same time, the maximum torque was increased from 390 to 480 Nm. To achieve this, the boost pressure, injection and ignition were modified. The 8-speed dual-clutch transmission N DCT from series production is used for power transmission. It can be used automatically or operated manually using the steering wheel paddles.
The second pillar of the Delta tuning is the ST XTA plus 3 coilover suspension with adjustable support bearings. The wheel geometry remains within the normal tolerance range, with a slightly negative camber. The handbrake is still conventional. If necessary, the typical tendency to understeer can be counteracted manually in tight bends.
Fulminant acceleration
While the basic model with 280 hp is already extremely dynamic, the tuning car requires even more attention to the throttle, as small movements result in brilliant acceleration. The vehicle weight of around 1560 kilograms seems negligible when the maximum torque is applied to the front wheels from around 3800 rpm. In typical front-wheel drive fashion, feedback can then be felt on the steering wheel, but in the higher gears the ample engine power can then be transmitted well.
Purring or roaring violently
The Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes are perfectly adequate. The sound ranges from a peaceful purr to a fierce roar - accompanied, if you love it, by wild backfiring when the throttle is released in Grin mode. Although maximum power is only reached at 6100 rpm, there is plenty of power available in any driving situation even at much lower revs. And yet the Delta Hyundai also masters the increasingly common 30 km/h zones with ease - and practically as quietly as an electric car.
Remarkably comfortable
As the Optima 360 is usually driven rather defensively and at a modest speed on our roads, you soon realize that the ride comfort is hardly affected by the firm suspension. On well-maintained roads, there is little sign of a sporty set-up - the passengers are grateful for this. On the other hand, when cornering quickly, the car sits firmly on the road with almost no lateral inclination. The option of adjusting the standard dampers from hard to rock-hard at the touch of a button has now been eliminated. The low-speed and high-speed compression and rebound settings can be adjusted separately with the new dampers.
The costs for the tuning cure, which Delta Motor also offers for the Kona N, remain manageable. The engine tuning costs CHF 1950, the homologation papers an additional CHF 450 and the KW coilover suspension costs CHF 3300.
