Relaxed reveal belies hatch’s importance
Asecond-generation version of Hyundai’s most popular car hasmadeit toNewZealand. ROBMAETZIG gets a sneak preview of thenewi30 hatch.
As introductions of new vehicles to the motoring media go, this event was a little unusual. It was held on a Saturday. There wasn’t any driving. All that happened was that the media got to look at a pre-production version of Hyundai’s brand new GD series i30 hatch, which was parked inside the Hyundai New Zealand headquarters at Mt Wellington, Auckland.
As a result, the event was relaxed, with journalists able to swig a few beers as they chatted with HNZ executives about the new model and what they expect of it once supplies are delivered to dealerships around the country. That delivery’s happening now.
General manager Andy Sinclair said that expectation was high.
‘‘The i30 is an extremely important model to us,’’ he said, as we looked over the new hatchback, which was designed at the Hyundai studios in Russelheim, Germany.
It’s the latest example of the South Korean marque’s ‘‘fluidic sculpture’’ design philosophy, which has already resulted in such striking models as the
Fresher interior: i45 sedan and the Elantra.
‘‘It and the Santa Fe SUV have been our two biggest-selling vehicles for the past three years, and we are anticipating that people will love this i30 at least as much as they have the old one,’’ Mr Sinclair continued. ‘‘We’re also hoping it will help make for a great year for us, because a brand new Santa Fe also arrives before the end of 2012.’’
The new i30 hatch lineup comprises a total of six models, two fewer than before. There are still two engine options, albeit changed in specification.
Whereas the first-generation version was offered with a choice of 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol engines and a 1.6-litre turbo diesel, this time the engine selection comprises the same 1.8-litre petrol unit as that in the Elantra, and a slightly improved 1.6-litre turbo diesel.
The range begins with an entrylevel 1.8 petrol with six-speed manual for $34,490, and goes through to a 1.6 CRDi Elite for $43,990. While these prices are higher than before, the new cars carry with them considerably improved specifications.
Every i30 has air conditioning, iPod/USB and Bluetooth, push-button brake, cruise control and a wealth of safety items, including seven airbags, electronic stability management and ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution. A big clincher will be the availability of six-speed automatics for petrol and diesel models, putting the i30 two ratios up on the ubiquitous Toyota Corolla.
The Elite models also get leather upholstery, heated front seats, exterior mirrors that automatically fold away when the car is locked, and rear park assist, which includes a nifty reversing camera that pops out when reverse is selected.
This new i30 is marginally larger than the model it replaces. It is 24mm longer and with a wheelbase that is 40mm bigger, and while vehicle height has reduced by 28mm and width is down 35mm, the cabin space has increased and room in the boot has gone up from 340 to 378 litres.
The NU series 1.8-litre multi- point fuel-injected engine under the bonnet of the petrol i30 is new to this model and delivers 110kW of power, which is 5kW more than the 2.0-litre unit it replaces. Its 178 Newton metres of torque is down on the old by 8 Nm; but this time around, manual and automatic transmissions are both sixspeeders, which should make improved use of what is available.
Meanwhile, the 1.6-litre turbo diesel has been slightly revised so it now has 94 kWof power and 260Nmof torque, which is up on the previous model’s 85kW/255Nm.