Priced from $18,990, the new Hyundai i30 is one of the most affordable small cars today
With European styling and host of useful standard features, the i30 could be a big seller for Hyundai
This
promotional video is for the global launch of the Hyundai i30, and shows some nice panning shots of the car in motion
Melbourne,
Australia —
Hyundai has just launched it's new i30 small car in Australia, which
will compete in the same market segment as vehicles like the Mazda3,
Toyota Corolla, and Ford Focus.
Here's the hook: "Styled in Germany, manufactured
in Korea and optimised around Australia's unique driving conditions,
the new Hyundai i30 is designed to excite the senses."
Hyundai is pushing the car's European style as one
of the chief selling points, and why not? The thing does look pretty
good. Priced from $18,990, it undercuts all of its rivals but
at least $1,000, and according to the company was designed "to
spearhead Hyundai’s growth in the European market".
The Korean car maker is also spruiking the cars
economy, with diesel models outputting less C02 and using less fuel per
100km than every other diesel car in its class except
the Citroen C4 SX HDi (which costs $30,990). The SX CRDi
diesel i30 model is priced at $21,490 which is $6,500
less than its closest rival, making it by far the best value diesel car
in Australia.
"The new i30 is a reflection of
Hyundai’s world-class design
capabilities with its inspired European styling, innovative
iPod/USB-compatible audio and outstandingly frugal turbo-Diesel
engine," said Hyundai's Director of sales and marketing, Kevin
McCann.
"The i30 offers a suite of intelligent safety
features and
Australian-optimised suspension and steering, together with the
class-leading quality and reliability for which Hyundai is increasingly
recognised," added Mr
McCann.
The two engine types on offer are the 2.0-litre,
4-cylinder petrol and 1.6-litre turbo diesel engines. The details are
as follows:
The i30 CRDi is rated at a miserly 4.7
litres/100km, just 0.1 litre/100km more than the hybrid-electric Honda
Civic. At present the diesel version are only available with the
5-speed manual gearbox, but Hyundai says that an
automatic transmission will be available for the CRDi from early 2008.
The petrol engine meanwhile comes with a 5-speed manual
or a 4-speed automatic (which returns 7.6L/100km).
As well as the keen pricing and frugal engines,
the new Hyundai small cars come with a strong standard features list
including air conditioning (with
pollen filter), power windows on all doors, remote keyless entry with
alarm and separate rear hatch opener, twin airbags, ABS, a roof
console with map lights and sunglasses bin, iPod/MP3 player
connectivity, USB
compatible CD/MP3/WMA audio system with four speakers and 15-inch steel
wheels.
Unlike the newly launch Mitsubishi Lancer, which
features ESP as standard across the range, the entry-level SX models
require buyers to purchase the 'Protectz' pack for $1,790
which adds ESP, TCS and the curtain and front-side airbags. In total
the cost is $20,780, about $200 less than the entry-level
Lancer.
The upper level SLX and SR Hyundai i30 models get
steering wheel
controls for audio and cruise control, allot wheels, front side and
cabin
side curtain airbags, front
fog lights, auto climate control;
leather steering wheel and gearshifter.
The range-topping i30 SR is the
sports-luxury model in the range, adding 17-inch chrome wheels
with 225/45 performance tyres, a body kit comprising side
skirts and
rear roof spoiler, leather trimmed seat
bolsters, alloy sports pedals and an in-dash 6-CD stacker with a
digital
amplifier for premium sound quality.
The rear seat backrests are split 60/40 and fold
forward to provide a
large and versatile storage space, while with the seats in their normal
position the boot has 340 litres of cargo space.
Along with a sportier suspension tune
than Hyundai customers would be used to, the i30's chassis has been
given special attention, calibrated for specifically for Australian
driving conditions. According to Hyundai, "This involved refining i30's
European settings to accommodate our multi-patched, lumpier, bumpier
local roads."
Hyundai's i30 also features an MDPS (Motor Driven
Power Steering) which saves fuel by minimising energy loss compared to
conventional hydraulic power steering. It is engine and road
speed-sensitive and reads the driver’s steering wheel inputs
and turning angle to optimise the level of assistance needed.
The front and rear disc brakes are quite large for a
small car which should help improve stopping distances and measure 280mm and 262mm
discs respectively.
As the world's 5th largest major automotive
manufacturer, the Hyundai Automotive Group is one of
the fastest growing auto brands in the world, and the new i30
has the makings of a top seller. We'll have full road tests of the new
model before year's end, so stay tuned.
Hyundai i30
SX: $
