Hyundai shows world the next i20 hatch

Hyundai has officially taken the wraps off its next generation i20 hatchback. This revelation is an important one for us here in SA, because the Korean car maker’s B-segment hatch is a popular buy for private buyers as well as fleet owners.

But don’t expect the next new i20 on local soil soon, because production has not even started yet, and when it does arrive, specifications will probably look quite different from those detailed below.

Markets in Europe are set to receive two engines and three transmission choices.

The first is a 1.0 T-GDi petrol mill offered in two states of tune (74kW and 88kW).

In Europe this turbo-charged unit will be offered with a 48V mild-hybrid system as an option on the lower-powered model, and as standard on the 88kW version.

Cars with the 48V system fitted can be specified with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or a ‘newly developed’ sixspeed manual gearbox (the latter including a function that allows it to decouple from the engine once the driver releases the accelerator, facilitating a fuel-saving ‘coasting mode’).

The second engine is a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol unit that generates 62kW.

This older engine will be offered with a five-speed manual transmission as standard.

The Korean firm says the new i20 is some 5mm longer and 30mm wider than its predecessor, while the roofline has been lowered by 24mm and the wheelbase extended by 10mm.

This, according to Hyundai, has resulted in more rear passenger space, while luggage capacity has improved by 25 litres to a claimed 351 litres.

Inside, there’s a new 10.25-inch digital cluster and a centrally placed touchscreen with the same dimensions.

Hyundai says the two displays have been ‘visually combined’, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now both offered wirelessly.

Other interesting features include a wireless charging pad in the centre console, an optional Bose sound system and a raft of safety features (for Europe, at least), including lane-following assist, blind spot collision avoidance assist warning, rear cross-traffic collision assist and semiautonomous parking.