Launched at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the hatchback i30 is an important model for Hyundai internationally. It’s designed to go head-to-head with the big players in Europe.

The new-generation i30 will go on sale in Europe early in 2012 as a five-door hatchback. Hyundai is planning to sell on average over 120 000 units of the new i30 a year during the car’s lifecycle, capturing a larger market share of around 5 per cent and challenging established competitors. (No South African launch date is available yet.)

As senior vice-president Eusun Chung conceded to PM, it’s not going to be easy to win over the Euro market. However, he is confident that, provided that quality is not compromised, the company will continue to make headway. Technology will come to play an increasing role, he said, confirming that we can also expect to see more of technologies such as the multimode steering implemented on the i30.

Designed and engineered at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the new-generation i30 represents a further evolution of Hyundai’s “fluidic sculpture” design language. Senior vice-president and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe Allan Rushforth told media at the vehicle’s launch that it’s gone “from sensible to sensational”.

The new-generation i30 will be available with a choice of three petrol and three diesel variants, with power outputs ranging from 67 to 100 kW. In Europe, where diesel represents a little over half of total vehicle sales, Hyundai is expecting a 50:50 split between dieseland petrol-powered i30 sales.

Technologies available under the company’s Blue Drive sub-brand, which optimises efficiency and lowers emissions, include Integrated Stop & Go (ISG), low rollingresistance tyres and an alternator management system.

Hyundai’s new Flex Steer option offers three operating modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport – to vary the level of steering assistance and feedback. A large TFT Supervision cluster is matched by a 180 mm touch-screen display for the satnav system.

Safety features include anti-lock brakes, stability control and six airbags as standard – front, side and curtain - while a driver’s knee airbag is optional.

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