This is a Hyundai i30N with Type R levels of power

We like the Hyundai i30N a lot. We’re running one, and there’s a regular fight over the keys. But can it be improved upon? German tuner RaceChip certainly thinks so. This is the GTS Black, its latest show car based on the i30N.

RaceChip’s taken the 271bhp i30N Performance and given it, well, more performance. Some electronic tweakery and a new exhaust downpipe has taken its power output to 316bhp, identical to the Honda Civic Type R that the regular i30N gets so close to beating. Could RaceChip’s work push it over the line?

Torque rises even more, with the stock i30N’s 279lb ft climbing to 387lb ft. That’s almost as much as a Ferrari 458 Speciale. RaceChip says the GTS is much more punchy at high revs than standard, and that “the increase in torque is develops the i30N into a real race car”.

To help channel such a rise in performance, there’s new 15mm-lower Eibach suspension and lightweight OZ wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tyres. RaceChip assures that downpipe – made by HJS – bring a “rich and aggressive sound”. Given how riotous the regular car sounds, that’s quite a claim.

Indeed, out of the showroom, the i30N isn’t slow, soft or quiet. We’d love to know just how barmy this GTS Black feels…