ALSO OUT OF HYUNDAI’S GARAGE…
Hyundai will add a third body style to its i30 range when a new Fastback variant launches in early 2018.
The five-door has a lower nose and sleeker roofline than the existing hatch and estate versions. The i30 Fastback’s suspension is 5mm lower than that of the hatch, with the overall height down 30mm, in part due to a slimmer glasshouse. Hyundai claims that this enhances its aerodynamics as well as lowering the car’s centre of gravity. The car is 115mm longer than the hatch.
The i30 Fastback gets bespoke suspension settings with spring rates that are 15% stiffer to improve agility and on-road handling. As such, the car will be the sportiest variant of the regular i30 range.
It will come with a choice of two turbocharged petrol engines that also see service in other i30s: a 1.0-litre T-GDI three-cylinder with 118bhp or a 1.4-litre T-GDI four-cylinder with 138bhp. The former comes exclusively with a six-speed manual, but the larger-capacity unit can be specified with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
The diesel options will be a 1.6-litre turbocharged fourcylinder in two states of tune – 108bhp and 134bhp – and mated to either a manual or dual-clutch gearbox.
The i30 Fastback will be offered with the same raft of technology as the rest of the i30 range. The car will also get advanced cruise control and additional driver assist programmes including rear cross traffic alert.