It’s the law of diminishing returns - one that illustrates the cruel irony facing performance car lovers.
It goes something like this:
You buy one of these rockets to enhance your driving experience, but end up doing quite the opposite.
Because in making cars faster, it diminishes the amount of time left for a driver to enjoy their new-found power and performance.
Reaching your destination before you know it.
Okay, First World problems.
But not everyone’s a loser in this game of musical chairs.
One car-maker has responded to this dilemma by making its cars even more fun, without making it solely about kilometres, kilowatts and Newton metres.
This car, not surprisingly, is a Korean machine built by Hyundai. The model is the i30N - the pimped-up version of the company’s volume that became one of the first models of its ilk to follow that “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” motto.
The i30N has been in the showrooms for almost four years so it was in need of a freshen-up.
The tech stack includes a bigger version of the 12.5-inch “supervision” screen which has replaced the conventional instrument panel, as well as an improved screen at the top of the centre stack.
But the biggest improvement has made the biggest mark - the option of a wet sump, eight-speed dual-clutch transmission - that has pushed the I30N closer to the limits of good sense.
The result is a car barely faster than the previous model, but enjoys improved and simplified performance through the self-shifter.
A couple of decades ago, it was Subaru's cultish, stupefying WRX-STi that occupied - no, obliterated - this unique part of the motoring world.
The blue missiles from the beloved Japanese marque built their dominance in the "boy racer" category - cars that stated their existence as a fairly run-of-the-mill four-cylinder, turbo-charged machine and turned it into an automotive Godzilla.
And once it began dominating the World Rally Championships, it became a mud-runner that successfully transferred that dominance into a loyal band of followers who came to worship the machine known as "Rex".
And then it was suddenly over as Subaru stepped back from its commitment to rallying.
It gave birth to Hyundai's first attempt at the rallying crown - and a whole new fairytale was born.
The i30N has captured an instant place in this with a car that's fast (but not ridiculously - that crown belongs to Hyundai's Ioniq 5N).
The sharp, quick-shifting transmission has taken the same numbers - 206kW and 392Nm - and made the car quicker without being less responsible.
Not to mention that noise. An engine that not only replicates the Subaru's throaty burble but adds snap, crackle and pop when carving through the ratios.
This spruce-up has created a car that’s quiet as a pussy cat around town and brutal when on the track.
The i30N is adorned with all manner of electronic and aerodynamic driver aides which make it one of the most engaging cars in its market segment.
Elements that helped make the original model such a success remain - the flexibility, for instance, to adjust the car’s mood on the run.
This happens via two "N" switches on the steering while - one that allows to trim the engine mapping; or a second one that bolts down the chassis, sharpens up the suspension, ride setting and amps up the exhaust output.
But there’s also a button that could easily become the most-used facet of all on this aggressive little road rocket.
It fires up the entire box of performance tricks for 20 seconds on request. Not surprisingly it’s called “Grin” mode because that’s the desired effect - like Mini’s go-kart mode or Tesla’s “ludicrous mode”.
This one could easily be called the Cinderella car, because for all of its aerodynamics, it has slick, sticky tyres and a rigid roll cage across your cargo hatch to stiffen the car’s ride (very effective).
The N is torrid around town or away from the traffic lights (recommended). It's fast but not too fiery.
Now who would have thought of such a thing?
HYUNDAI I30 N HATCHBACK
HOW FAST? While its engine outputs are no bigger than the previous model, the rapid-fire transmission has done the trick. Expect just under 5 seconds for the 100km/h sprint.
HOW THIRSTY? Another facet significantly improved by the transmission is the eight-speed auto, making the i30 a civilised and almost refined machine.
HOW HOW BIG? It’s based upon the i30 hatch, but the big sports seats in the front, and the sports roll-bar in the cargo hatch, reduce available space.
HOW MUCH? The i30 N comes in just two forms - $50,000 for the entry-model and an additional $3500 for the panoramic sunroof, ensure it’s a bargain at the showrooms.
