The first generation of the Hyundai i30 not only was a other hatchback for the Hyundai Motor Company in Europe, it was more. Originally launched in 2007, the first generation of the Hyundai i30 – company’s first car launched with the ‘i’ prefix, introducing a new nomenclature and heralding a new era for Hyundai in Europe – has gone through two facelifts before arriving in its all-new form here on the Frankfurt Motor Show stage.
Pulse aquí para ver la versión en Español de esta Review.
The redesigned C-segment hatchback features new look incluiding Hyundai’s Fluidic Design. The Korean automaker expects the new-generation i30 to build on the remarkable success of the original model. The modern design language shared by the rest of the family it’s offered in CW (available in this fall) or five door versions. The 2012 i30 is available with a choice between two petrol engines (1.4 MPi and 1.6 GDi with 100 and 140 hp) and three diesel CRDi engines (1.4 and two 1.6 with 90, 110 and 128 hp) combinated with a six speed manual gearbox (the most powerful engines may be associated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox also).
Hyundai unveiled its next-generation i30 at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The new i30 was designed and engineered at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and offers a choice of five engines with a total of six power options and CO2 emissions below 100 g/km due to an upgraded 1.6-litre diesel unit. The next-generation i30 will go on sale in Europe early in 2012 as a five-door hatchback.
It was launched in South Korea since October 20, 2011 and it is the second model under Hyundai’s “Premium Youth Lab” brand. The new Korean-spec i30 is offered with a 1.6 “Gamma” GDi engine and a 1.6 VGT diesel engine. The second-generation i30 is projected to be available in the USA at the summer of 2012 as the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT. It made a premiere at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show along with the new Hyundai Elantra Coupe, featuring the same 1.8L Nu MPI engine as the original Elantra MD sedan.
Hyundai is the first to admit that the New Generation i30 has been designed and created with Europe in mind, and produced at Hyundai’s Nosovice Plant, in Czech Republic. In Europe, the Hyundai i30 offer divides into between five mechanical options, two petrol engines (1.4 MPi and 1.6 GDi with 100 and 135 hp) and three CRDi diesel engines (1.4 U-2 unit with 90 hp, and the 1.6 with 110 and 128 hp).
A “BlueDrive” option includes Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) start-stop system and 15 inch rolling resistance tyres, resulting in a reduced CO2 of 99g/km for the 110 hp diesel (this version is only available in UK actually). The Hyundai i30 5-door measures are: Wheelbase 104.3 inches (2,650 mm), Length 169.3 inches (4,300 mm), Width 70.1 inches (1,780 mm), Height 57.9 inches (1,470 mm). Curb weight: Petrol – 1,306 kg (2,879 lb) to 1,344 kg (2,963 lb) – Diesel – 1,360 kg (2,998 lb) to 1,440 kg (3,174 lb) –
Refinement has improved, too, particularly with the 81kW 1.4-litre VGT diesel engine we tested in the i30’s event held last month, which is remarkably hushed and rattle-free at low revs. Like the petrol 100-hp version we tested, a little quieter until 4,000rpm. Hyundai used the VW Golf as its benchmark for the i30, and it shows. The i30 is firm but nicely damped – so it copes with the worst potholes, even at low speeds – and feels composed in bends, with body roll well controlled. The steering is less satisfying; it’s accurate enough overall, but there’s a frustrating amount of play around the straight-ahead. I don’t have the opportunity to test newest FlexSteer system available on higher trim levels allows the driver to select different weights of steering.
The i30 doesn’t do much else wrong. The ride is comfortable, the cabin is spacious for tall passengers, the boot is big enough for their bags and the handling is good – although not exactly thrilling. The major controls are arranged in an attractive and easy-to-use layout which emphasises the space of the interior. The suspension impresses with its ability to provide comfort for the i30’s occupants, while the interior provides enough space for tall adults, and the boot is a decent size.
The essential controls – including audio and heating/ventilation – are positioned high up for ease of use. This has also freed up a storage space area ahead of the gearlever, so there’s a decent amount of oddment space. The seats, meanwhile, are well positioned, comfortable and supportive. The top-spec Style Nav model adds a rear parking camera that pops up from under the boot badge; it’s clear and easy to use, but the mechanism is a little noisy.
Inside, the hard plastics found in the first i30 have made way for a premium interior trimmed with soft-touch plastics on the dashboard and door panels. Gloss black details and brushed silver inserts add a touch of class that shifts the i30 ever closer to the kind of interiors we expect from the VW Golf. And the driving experience is almost on a par, too. Front passengers get lots of head and shoulder room, and those in the rear are unlikely to complain about the amount of head- and kneeroom. The boot has a reasonably low lip and offers 378 litres of capacity; that’s more than either the VW Golf or Ford Focus. With the rear seats folded flat (and the seat cushions themselves folded forwards), that volume increases to an equally impressive 1316 litres.
A thick-rimmed two-spoke steering wheel and Hyundai signature ‘supervision’ instrument cluster provide clear and precise graphics. The new i30 will be available with automatically controlled dual air conditioning, plus electric folding door mirrors with integrated side repeaters. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls allow drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times, AUX, iPod and USB connections with MP3 compatibility for the radio/CD player, Electronic Stability Program.
Other new features available are HID Headlights, automatic emergency brake, leather seats (not available in Spain), knee driver airbag, include Autolightcontrol, projection headlamps, LED high mounted stop lamp and front LED headlights, Flex Steer system (provides three different steering modes for different driving environments, Normal, Comfort and Sport), 7″ touchscreen navigation system with rear camera, Bluetooth hands-free with voice recognition. For Spain, the Hyundai i30 offered in five ranges, Base, City, Techno, Style and Style S (only available with 1.6 CRDi 128 hp with automatic gearbox).
– Base
- ABS + EBD.
- ESP + TCS.
- Six airbags.
- ISOFIX system.
- Fog lights with LED daylight.
- Steering wheel.
- Air Conditioning.
- Folding rear seat.
- Trip Computer.
- Electric Front Windows.
- Radio CD with MP3
- Adjustable steering wheel.
- Driver seat: individual type adjustable height.
- Painted front and rear bumpers.
- Body Coloured Door Handles.
- Electrically and Heat Adjustable Door Mirrors.
– City
- USB-iPod connection.
- Painted exterior mirrors.
- Alarm.
- Central Locking.
- Smoker Kit.
- Steering wheel with tilt adjustement, telescopic adjustment and audio/trip controls..
- Spare tire Space Saver.
– Techno
- Height-adjustable driver seat.
- Automatic air conditioning with two climate control zone.
- Bluetooth
- Cruise Control.
- Mirrors Turn Signal.
- Heated side mirrors
- Electric Rear Windows.
- Leather Steering Wheel.
- Reading lights.
- Glasses holder.
- Flex-steering (provides three steering wheel modes).
– Style
- 16″ inch Alloy Wheels (15 inches in the GDi version).
- Rear center armrest.
- Style black leather/cloth.
- Electric folding mirrors.
- Trunk net.
- Front and Rear Electric Windows “One Touch”.
– Style S
- 17″ inch Alloy Wheels.
- Heated Front Seats.
- Rear Parking System.
- 7″ inch LCD touch screen with AM/FM/CD/MP3.
- Voice Control.
- Rear Parking Camera.
- Knee airbag.
Photo Gallery:
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Key Features:
- Engine : I 4.
- Fuel : Petrol.
- Engine Alignment : Front Transverse.
- Drive : FWD.
- Displacement : 1397 cm3.
- Bore x Stroke : 77 x 75 mm.
- Type : 16 Valves.
- Compression Ratio : 17.
- Output : 100 hp (74 kW) @ 4200 rpm
- Torque : 137 Nm.
- Gearbox : 6 speed Manual
- Wheelbase : 2,650 mm.
- Length : 4,300 mm.
- Width : 1,780 mm.
- Height : 1,470 mm.
- Front Brakes : Vented Discs (300 mm).
- Rear Brakes : Discs (284 mm).
- Front Tyres : 195/65 R15.
- Rear Tyres : 195/65 R15.
- Kerb Weight : 1306 kg.
- Front Suspension : McPherson struts. Coil springs.
- Rear Suspension : Coil springs.
- Top Speed : 182 km/h (113 Mph).
- 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) : 12.8 s.
- Fuel Consumption: 7.9L / 6L / 4.9L (39 mpg).
- Fuel Tank : 50 L.
- Trunk : 378 L.
- CO2 emissions : 139 g/Km.
Price List (not include 2.000€ discount). “Sky” means Panoramic Sunroof.
- 1.4i 16v 100 CV Base 15.590 €.
- 1.4i 16v 100 CV City 16.490 €.
- 1.4i 16v 100 CV Tecno 18.290 €.
- 1.4i 16v 100 CV Tecno Sky 19.040 €.
- 1.6 GDi 135 CV Tecno BlueDrive 19.190 €.
- 1.6 GDi 135 CV Tecno BlueDrive Sky 19.940 €.
- 1.6 GDi 135 CV Style BlueDrive 19.990 €.
- 1.6 GDi 135 CV Style BlueDrive Sky 20.740 €.
- 1.4 CRDi 90 CV City 17.990 €.
- 1.4 CRDi 90 CV Tecno 19.390 €.
- 1.4 CRDi 90 CV Tecno Sky 20.140 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 110 CV City 18.890 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 110 CV Tecno 20.290 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 110 CV Tecno Sky 21.440 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 110 CV Tecno Aut. 22.390 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 110 CV Tecno Aut. Sky 23.140 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 128 CV Style 21.890 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 128 CV Style Sky 22.640 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 128 CV Style Aut. 23.990 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 128 CV Style Aut. Sky 24.740 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 128 CV Style S 24.490 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 128 CV Style S Sky 25.240 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 128 CV Style S Aut. 25.590 €.
- 1.6 CRDi 128 CV Style S Aut. Sky 26.340 €.
Special Thanks to Autofima Hyundai, Alenda Golf and Coki Photography.
