A high performance version of the Hyundai i30 has been spotted by our photographers wandering around on public roads near the Nurburgring.

Rumour has it that this go-fast version of the Hyundai i30 will be the first production car from the company's N division, equipped with a version of the company's 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder engine that's been retuned for around 180kW of power.

This motor is currently employed in the facelifted i30 range in Europe, where it produces 137kW of power and 265Nm of torque, and is mated to a six-speed manual.

Interestingly, the hot i30 prototype is fitted with pre-facelift styling elements, including head- and tail-lights, as well as front and rear fascias. Lashings of silver tape partially obscure the front clip, which been modified to include side air intakes where the fog lights would normally reside, as well as a new, lower front spoiler.

Behind the grey and silver alloy wheels are larger discs and red callipers. Inside the car, we can see a set of gauges perched on the centre of the dashboard.