Hyundai Motor UK is confident that its new generation i30 will build on the remarkable success achieved by the original model. It will maintain Hyundai's sales in the most hotly contested segment of the market by offering consumers a stylish and more refined alternative with improved comfort and packaging, more standard features and lower emissions.
Designed and engineered at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, Hyundai i30 is the latest model from Hyundai to be developed specifically for the European market. The original i30 heralded a new era for Hyundai when it was launched and the new-generation model will play a major role in further raising brand awareness.
"The original i30 has grown its UK market share every year since launch in 2008. Now, the Hyundai i30 will appeal to young, progressive buyers who want a car that not only performs well but also looks great. It will ensure greater sales success, growing brand awareness and enhancing British consumers' perceptions of Hyundai," comments Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor UK.
On sale from March 12, 2012, the i30 is produced in Europe at Hyundai's manufacturing facility in Nošovice, Czech Republic. Prices start from £14,495 (on the road) and rise to £20,795 - spanning 16 models and four trim levels (Classic, Active, Style and Style Nav), across the range.
The all-new Hyundai i30 is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor - generating sportier exterior proportions without compromising interior functionality. Overall length is increased by 20 mm (to 4,300 mm), width is enlarged by 5 mm (to 1,780 mm) and height has been reduced by 10 mm (to 1,470 mm). The 2,650 mm wheelbase, one of the longest in the C-segment, is carried over from the original i30 model.
It offers buyers in the UK a line-up of four engines with five power outputs from 90 to 128 PS, with six-speed transmission for every model, plus CO2 emissions starting below 100 g/km.
Under its Blue Drive sub-brand, Hyundai is continuing to develop its clean diesel technologies. The new 1.6-litre diesel unit, featuring Intelligent Stop & Go technologies, delivers an impressive power to efficiency ratio, providing an output of 128ps and emissions of just 100 g/km. This will make this model one of the most efficient vehicles in the C-segment.
"Our Blue Drive i30 models will make an outstanding proposition to fleet operators and to company car drivers. Achieving CO2 emissions from 97 g/km, the i30 will be the lowest priced sub-100 g/km 5-door model in the C-segment with the lowest fuel consumption and the lowest BIK at £876 per year for 40% tax payers," concludes Whitehorn.
Demonstrating its strong self-belief in the durability and quality of its products, Hyundai offers its customers in the UK an industry-leading Five Year Triple Care package. This includes a five year, fully-transferable, unlimited-mileage warranty, five years of roadside assistance, and five years of vehicle health checks.
Compared to the original i30, total cost of ownership for the new model will be reduced, helped by improved fuel efficiency, lower CO2 emissions, lower insurance group rating classifications and lower servicing costs.
Style through dynamic proportions
The Hyundai i30 is the latest expression of Hyundai's 'fluidic sculpture' design ethos. This visual philosophy utilises flowing lines to give a constantly impactful three-dimensional presence to Hyundai vehicles.
Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre, commented: "When designing New Generation i30, we used strong, fluid lines to sculpt a car which looks athletic and exudes a sense of constant motion, even when stationary. We gave the car a bold stance, transmitting a confident attitude through sporty characteristics and dynamic proportions. In this respect, it is very close to the all-new i40, and the strength of Hyundai's design DNA is easy for people to recognise in both these models."
A key factor behind the more athletic appearance of new i30 is the significantly increased track. While the bodyshell is 5 mm wider, the front and rear tracks have been increased by 17 mm and 27 mm respectively, moving the wheels and tyres outwards to become flush with the wheel arches - simultaneously heightening the car's aesthetics and improving its road holding.
The base of the windscreen is moved forwards by 84 mm and down by 26 mm. This changed has reduced wind resistance and aerodynamic drag, producing a Cd of just 0.30 - a 10% improvement. The profile of the i30 is given added finesse by the chrome beltline moulding beneath the glass house (Style models) and by the new-look 16-inch alloy wheels.
Its visual impact on the road is also raised by the LED daytime running lights which are standard on all models. The new i30 also bears Hyundai's signature frontal feature - the hexagonal-shaped grille, with a choice of single body-colour or twin chrome horizontal trim bars.
"The hexagonal appearance is unique to our brand and defines the New Generation i30 as a Hyundai family member. The jewel-like front headlamps which flank the grille add a strong personality to the vehicle, as well as a sense of refinement and luxury," added Bürkle.
The Hyundai i30 will be available in a range of five exterior colours - one solid, three metallic and one pearl. The colours are: Creamy White (solid), Aqua Blue [new launch colour], Sleek Silver and Steel Grey (metallic) and Phantom Black (pearl). Inside, the i30 seat and cabin trim will be finished in Black Cloth, with the option of leather upholstery on Style and Style Nav with the Individual Pack.
More cabin space and less interior noise
Although the 2,650 mm wheelbase is carried over for the new Hyundai i30, the increase in overall length and width has been exploited to create more space for occupants and more cargo space for luggage.
Front seat occupants can enjoy 30 mm more headroom, 11mm more legroom, and 5 mm of additional shoulder room. Rear passengers gain 5 mm of shoulder room and access to and across the rear seats is improved by lowering the floor's central tunnel by 59% (from 133 mm to just 54 mm).
Boot capacity is boosted by 11 per cent to 378 litres (up 38 litres), the dashboard glovebox is enlarged by 38per cent to 8.0 litres (up from 5.8), bottle storage in the front door trims is doubled in size to 1.5-litres and new 0.6-litre storage pockets are provided in the rear doors for Active, Style and Style Nav models.
In terms of cabin refinement and NVH, Hyundai targeted the acknowledged class leader, the VW Golf, and was determined to achieve significant improvements over the previous i30 model.
Measures adopted to improve NVH included vibration damping engine mounts, fitting hollow drive shafts, stronger bodyshell joints between the sills and B-pillars, double-layer door seals, increased foam-filling in the A-pillars and re-shaped exterior door handles.
Cabin noises have been cut to class-best levels, with engine noise at idle down to 38 dB, acceleration noise lowered to 52 dB, road noise limited to 64 dB and wind noise cut to 63.6 dB.
For the UK market, the quality and generosity of standard specification across the four variants of the i30 have been inspired by the high standards established by Hyundai's all-new i40.
Priced from £14,495, Classic models come with Bluetooth® connectivity with voice recognition, front fog lights, LED daytime running lights, steering wheel audio and phone controls, manual air conditioning, electrically adjustable, heated, body coloured door mirrors, electric front windows, RDS radio/CD with MP3, iPod, Aux and USB connectivity, and height-adjustable driver's seat.
Active models (from £15,595) gain alloys wheels, cruise control with speed limiter, electric rear windows, leather steering wheel and rear parking sensors.
Style trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, static cornering lights, automatic lights and wipers, electrically folding door mirrors with integrated LED indicators, two additional audio speakers and front parking sensors - with prices starting at £16,595.
From £17,595, Style Nav models feature a touch screen satellite navigation system plus rear-view camera with parking guidance mode. Located atop the centre stack, the sat-nav system is displayed via a 7-inch screen. The system is a highly sophisticated and convenient GPS tool, offering multi-media support and speech recognition in 10 European languages.
Factory-fitted options will include metallic or pearlescent paint - plus three 'option packs' available exclusively for range-topping Style and Style Nav models.
'Convenience Pack' adds keyless entry with engine start/stop button, automatically folding door mirrors with LED indicators and puddle lights, plus chrome exterior door handles with illumination. The pack price is £750.
'Individual Pack' includes leather upholstery (artificial leather centre armrest, artificial leather instrument binnacle cover and artificial leather door centre trims), and a supervision instrument cluster with LCD colour display. Price is £1,000.
The 'Panoramic Sunroof' is an electric tilt and slide glass roof which allows an increased amount of natural light to flood the cabin. The sunroof has been designed to open fully or tilt open, offering flexibility and functionality, together with an adjustable full-length shade. Price is £950.
Choice of five engine options to power i30
In the UK, the Hyundai i30 will be available with a choice of four engines with five power outputs - three diesel and two petrol units - ranging from 90 to 128ps.
Hyundai believes that the new, more powerful, top of the range diesel - the highly-efficient 1.6-litre variable geometry turbo (VGT) 'U2' unit - will become a popular engine in the line-up. Generating 128ps and 260 Nm from 1,900 rpm, the upgraded 1,582 cc engine will accelerate the i30 Blue Drive model from standstill to 62 mph in under 11 seconds, and go on to reach a top speed of 117 mph - while achieving 74.3 mpg (combined cycle) and CO2 emissions of just 100 g/km.
The 110ps diesel powered Blue Drive model is offered in each of the four trim levels, recording a CO2 level of just 97 g/km in the Classic and Active models with their narrower 15-inch wheels.
The addition of Hyundai technologies developed under the company's Blue Drive™ sub-brand optimizes efficiency and lowers emissions for six diesel models in the Hyundai i30 line-up. These technologies include Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) and an alternator management system (AMS).
Real-world fuel efficiency together with a generous 53-litre fuel tank means that Hyundai i30 drivers could comfortably achieve a range of up to 890 miles between fill-ups - the equivalent of driving from Land's End to John O'Groats without stopping.
Buyers of the Hyundai i30 will be offered a choice between manual and automatic six-speed transmissions, depending on model, with both units providing a refined driving experience and enhanced fuel efficiency. To boost refinement, lower engine revs at cruising speeds, and reduce fuel consumption, high top (6th) gear ratios are fitted in all transmissions. The automatic transmission will be an option on 120ps petrol and 110ps diesel engines.
Enhanced handling and variable power steering
As part of its improved dynamics, the Hyundai i30 Active, Style and Style Nav models feature the innovative Flex Steer system. This introduces three operating modes - Comfort, Normal and Sport - and allows the driver to vary the level of steering assistance and feedback in order to best suit the current driving conditions, a driver's personal preferences and make the journey more pleasurable.
Both the standard steering system and the Flex Steer system employ electric power-assistance (carried over) and require 2.85 turns lock-to-lock for a 10.6-metre turning circle.
Fully-independent, all round suspension features subframe-mounted MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link set up at the rear - both with optimized geometry to exploit the wider track of the new model for enhanced handling and improved road-holding.
Active and passive 5-Star safety technologies
Safety is a top priority for Hyundai and the new generation i30 features the latest active and passive safety technologies to ensure maximum protection for its occupants and other road users. Active safety features include ESP (Electronic Stability Program), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management), ABS (anti-lock braking system), BAS (emergency Brake Assist System), HAC (Hill Assist Control) to prevent roll-back and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal) which flashes the brake lights when an emergency stop is detected.
Good visibility is a key factor in safe driving and all models feature LED daytime running lights to ensure they are seen - plus new Static Cornering Lights to optimize the driver's night vision (Style and Style Nav). To maximize safety when reversing, a wide angle rear view camera is available, mounted in the tailgate badge and showing a clear view of obstructions behind the car (Style Nav).
In terms of passive safety, the bodyshell structure employs a high percentage of ultra high tensile steel and features three new cross-members which link to the front or rear suspension mounts for maximized rigidity. The front door anti-intrusion beams have been strengthened, the joint between the B-pillar and roof is enlarged and the inner and outer side sill panels are manufactured in high tensile steel. Each new Hyundai i30 is fitted with six airbags as standard - front, front side and full-length curtain.
The safety features available on the new i30 reinforce Hyundai's excellent record on safety and as with all new Hyundai models, we will be targeting a 5 star Euro NCAP rating.
Source: Hyundai
