Hyundai updates i30 range with 94g/km diesel efficiency

2015-02-18 18:55:07

Hyundai has uprated its i30 range. As part of the changes, it sports the firm’s hexagonal grille alongside a new colour palette and a range of new alloy wheel designs.

All the i30 engines are now Euro6 compliant and starts with an all-new 1.4-litre Kappa unit. This is very light in weight and emits just 129g/km of CO2.

There is also a 120bhp 1.6-litre GDI petrol which sits alongside two 1.6-litre diesel engines, the smallest with an output of 110bhp and emissions as low as 94g/km, with the more powerful version producing 136bhp.

The company is also offering a new 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox called 7DCT.

Hyundai have not yet announced any pricing for the revised i30 range. It has also refused to disclose when it will go on sale, but we would expect during the first quarter of 2015 – perhaps after the Geneva motor show in March.

Hyundai has also thrown its hat into the ring with a ‘warm hatch’ based on its i30 small family hatchback. Known as the Hyundai i30 Turbo, a rather plucky 183bhp 1.6-litre GDI turbocharged petrol engine promises punchy performance dressed up in a family-friendly package. Its main rival will be the forthcoming Nissan Pulsar Nismo.

The i30 Turbo has been especially developed at the South Korean manufacturer’s purpose-built facility located at the world-famous Nürburgring testing facility. Hyundai says the focus of the i30 Turbo is on sporty driving dynamics and everyday usability.

The engine will be mated to a short-throw 6-speed manual gearbox. The suspension has been tweaked to ensure sharper, more sporty handling whilst the steering has been returned for improved feedback and feel and can now ben turned from lock-to-lock in just 2.78 turns.

The i30 Turbo can be identified by lesser models in the range by its 18-inch alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon front head lamps with bespoke LED running lights which flank a hexagonal grille that features special red detailing and, at the other end, twin tailpipes.

Inside, there is a more racy instrument cluster and sports front seats with leather trimmed surfaces. The seats, steering wheel and gear shift cover get red stitching to brighten up the cabin and hint further at its sporty intent.

This is very much a ‘warm’ hatch as opposed to a hot one. As a result, it is able to complete the 0-62mph sprint in 8.6 seconds before going on to 136mph. This should help keep the insurance costs down whilst still providing enough power to spice up the daily commute. Despite the extra verve, it is able to return 39.0mpg on the combined cycle. The torque is demonstrates a very significant 36% increase over the non-turbo 1.6 GDI.

However, an interesting fact to note is that the i30 Turbo doesn’t even match the 204bhp the Cee’d GT produces, a car produced by Hyundai’s sister company, Kia.

The boot is able to offer 378-litres of boot space with the rear seats in place, providing more evidence if any were needed that this is considered to be a practical everyday solution in the same way as the Suzuki Swift Sport supermini does.

However, unlike the Swift Sport, the Hyundai i30 Turbo will cost in the region of £20,000 when it arrives in showrooms next year.

This article was prepared by our car news team First4Auto.

Reported By

Andrew Merritt-Morling