A WHOLE NEW HYUNDAI I20

NO SUBTLETY EITHER (SIREN, REPEATING AT ONE-SECOND INTERVALS) ALL CREW TO SALES POINTS! THIS IS NOT A FACELIFT! REPEAT: THIS IS NOT A FACELIFT!

And it isn’t: It’s a new generation of i20 called BC3 or BI3, depending on where it came from, Turkey or India. Ours is the 45mm-shorter Chennai version built to take advantage of that country’s tax laws; but still a centimetre longer, on a wheelbase stretched by the same amount, and 41mm wider than the last one.

So what? Eighty-eight millimetres more rear seat legroom, more shoulder space – 30mm in front and 40mm in the back – and an extra 26 litres of cargo volume is “what”. And, for everyone living in a world of speed humps and potholes, Hyundai increased its ground clearance from 150mm to 170mm.

It looks different too – front, back and inside – no subtlety here, this is in-your-face boldness, sexiness, whatever.

Designer Thomas Bürkle calls it “sensuous sportiness” and it shows; new upper and lower grille, new headlamps, new fog light surrounds, new mirrors, rather similar side view but a completely reworked derrière – smoother, trimmer, wilder taillights - the kind you want to follow. As for the interior everything except possibly the pedals has changed; vents, instruments, minor controls, playpoint (eight-inch infotainment centre with wireless link for screen mirroring), everything.

And it’s more aerodynamic, with Cd reduced from 0.35 to 0.33.

That means improved fuel economy and less wind noise. In case you wondered, steering, ride and handling have been improved too.

Hopefully not about to change is Hyundai SA’s average “burn rate”, or cost of honouring warranty claims, on i20 models since introduction in 2009 of just R32 per car per month. New kit: Electric folding mirrors for Fluid variants,

Rear-view monitor with guidelines,

Rear passenger air-vents in Fluid versions,

USB charging socket and cell phone storage for rear passengers,

Multi-function steering wheel with radio and telephone controls,

Cruise-control on steering wheel, and wireless charging pad in centre console, for Fluid models.

New colours: Titan Grey, Polar White, Starry Night, Fiery Red, Typhoon Silver and Phantom Black. Black over White and Black over Red are available as two-tone options on Fluid models.

The range has been rationalised. Active level is history, 1197cc Motion and Fluid versions with five-speed manual remain, the 1.4 Motion automatic upgrades to six speeds and everything else is powered by the 1.0-litre TGDI turbo from Kona and Venue. Transmissions are sixspeed manual or seven-speed DCT.

The familiarisation drive took place through North Coast cane country with its unmarked - and hidden by bagasse - narrow, high, and nasty speed humps.

Despite the new i20’s increased ground clearance, we were extremely cautious over those; they’re potential sump- and wheel breakers.

Apart from that our launch rides, 1.0 TGDI Fluid manual and DCT, were brisk, responsive, spacious, comfortable and quiet; to the extent that co-pilot and I yakked so contentedly we missed a turn or two. We weren’t alone in doing that.

These new i20s are really new, not just facelifts. Take a look. Information gathered at a manufacturer-sponsored launch event

Pricing 1.2 Motion manual: R275 900 1.4 Motion automatic: R305 900 1.2 Fluid manual: R289 900 1.2 Fluid manual – 2-Tone: R294 900

1.0 TGDI Fluid manual: R330 900

1.0 TGDI Fluid manual – 2-Tone: R335 900 1.0 TGDI Fluid DCT: R355 900 1.0 TGDI Fluid DCT – 2-Tone: R360 900 Warranty: 7 years, 200 000 km Roadside assistance: 7 years, 150 000 km

Service plan: 4 years, 60 000 km