Hyundai has revealed its next-generation i30 hatchback, which will make its first public appearance later this month at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The family car delivers new styling, a more practical interior, more efficient engines and will launch in early 2017.
The new i30 will continue Hyundai’s efforts to rival the likes of the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, Volkswagen Golf, Kia Cee’d and SEAT Leon. With its new hexagonal front grille and redesigned headlights - plus LED daytime running lights with indicator function - the new i30’s face has changed substantially.
Bigger and more practical
The new i30’s wheelbase is the same length as its predecessor, but its dimensions are actually longer and wider - and the roofline sits slightly lower. This ultimately means more legroom for passengers inside and boot capacity has gone up to 395 litres, which is 15 litres more than the VW Golf.
Not only is it more practical, the new i30 also manages its weight well thanks to greater use of high-tensile steel, benefiting efficiency, braking and handling in the process. Overall the car weighs about the same as the previous i30 due to the fitment of extra sound deadening and safety kit.
Hyundai says the new i30 has the strongest safety kit line-up it has ever offered before, and the list includes a drive fatigue monitor, blind spot monitoring, radar-assisted cruise control and lane keep assist.
New engines and hot hatch derivative
The new i30’s engine line-up features three petrol units and three diesel options. On the petrol side there’s a 1.4-litre unit with 99bhp and a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo with 118bhp. Both of these engines utilise a six-speed manual gearbox only and complete the 0-62mph sprint in less than 12 seconds.
There’s also a 1.4-litre turbo petrol with 138bhp higher up the range. This can be hooked up to either the six-speed manual ‘box or an all-new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The diesel line-up comprises of a 1.6-litre unit with numerous outputs. Customers can have the diesel with either 94bhp, 109bhp or 134bhp. The first two versions come with a manual gearbox only, while the 134bhp diesel can switch to the new automatic ‘box.
At some point next year, after the car’s initial launch, the new i30’s range will expand with a hot hatch version produced by Hyundai’s N performance division. This will reportedly offer around 250bhp.
Pricing for the new Hyundai i30 will likely start from just under £15,000.
