As spied back in April, the i30 becomes the first model to benefit from the N Line treatment, with the i30 N-style additions consisting of 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin PS4 Performance tyres, redesigned front and rear bumpers with silver detailing, N Line badges on the front wings and dual exhaust outlets.

Along with a tweaked suspension and the updated brakes, the i30 N Line’s interior boasts a perforated leather steering wheel with N badging, N badged suede covered sport seats and an N branded gear knob. Restricted to the five-door i30, the N Line will only come powered by one engine, the high-powered 1.4 T-GDI petrol that punches out 103kW and based on the images, hooked solely to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Targeted at the Volkswagen Golf R-Line, the new Ford Focus ST-Line, and the Kia Ceed GT-Line, the i30 N Line will go in sale in Europe within the next few weeks at a projected price, in the United Kingdom, of around £21 000 (R366 595). At present, the i30 is still a no-no for local buyers.