(Fri 04 Dec 09)

Hyundai dealers are now taking orders for the new i30, which officially goes on sale in the UK on January 4.

Actually, there is very little that's new about it, except that the ISG start/stop system is now available as a £200 option on all versions with manual transmission. The effect is an improvement in fuel economy of around 10% in the hatchback and 14% in the estate.

Other than that, the changes are more about the amount of equipment that Hyundai provides. A new entry-level version, called the Classic, has been introduced, and comes with ESP, front electric windows and air-conditioning. This is now the cheapest i30, priced at £12,000 (including 17.5% VAT) for the 1.4 petrol and £12,950 for the 1.6 CRDi turbo diesel.

The top seller in the UK is expected to be the Comfort, which costs £700 more than a Classic (assuming the same engine) and gets rear electric windows, 16" alloy wheels, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and, new for 2010, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob.

The range-topping Premium is now £1200 cheaper than before, partly because the upholstery is now part- rather than full-leather. If you want the full-leather trim you can still have it, though, for £650. Other standard features of the Premium include 17" alloy wheels, reversing sensors and climate control air-conditioning.

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