Frankfurt 2011: Hyundai i30

News I By Brandon Turkus I September 07, 2011

Hyundai’s European outfit is preparing to launch its new i30 small wagon. Why is that important to North Americans? Because the i30 is very likely coming over here as the next-generation Elantra Touring (considering the current Elantra Touring is the current i30 in Europe). Regardless of where the i30 ends up, at least on the basis of aesthetics, it should provide a worthy alternative to the five-door Ford Focus, Mazda3, and Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen.

There isn’t much on drivetrains, but don’t be surprised to see a range of four-cylinder engines with both gas and diesel variants (the latter of which we almost assuredly won’t be seeing in the New World), as well as six-speed automatic and manual transmissions.

Look for the i30 to make its global debut at the Frankfurt show next week.

Please scroll down for the official press release from Hyundai.

HYUNDAI REVEALS FIRST IMAGE OF NEW-GENERATION i30

– New-generation i30 to build on the remarkable success of original model

– Next evolution of fluidic sculpture form language revealed on newcomer

– Quality and refinement for new-generation i30 inspired by the segment above

Hyundai has revealed the first photo of the new-generation i30, ahead of the car’s world premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) next week, showing an exciting new look for the company’s best-selling C-segment hatchback.

Hyundai expects the new-generation i30 to build on the remarkable success of the original model – the company’s first car to be launched with the ‘i’ prefix, introducing a new nomenclature and heralding a new era for Hyundai in Europe.

The original i30 was also the first model to be designed and engineered in Europe, the first to be produced at the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the Czech Republic, and the first Hyundai car to receive five stars from Euro NCAP.

After its July 2007 launch, the i30 went on to increase its sales in Europe every year, attracting 115,000 buyers in 2010 – the highest-ever annual sales figure for an individual Hyundai model in Europe – and achieving total sales of more than 350,000 units up to mid-2011.

Designed and engineered at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the new-generation i30represents a further evolution of the unique Hyundai form language, ‘fluidic sculpture’, displaying the company’s distinctive design DNA.

Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre, commented: "The new-generation i30 is recognisable thanks to the Hyundai family face with its signature hexagonal-shaped front grille and the jewel-like design of the headlamps, together with distinctive daytime running lights. These lights present an angular shape within a more softly-edged recess, adding a strong personality to the vehicle, as well as a sense of refinement and luxury."

"Through the profile of the new generation i30, a strong character line runs over the front and rear wheelarches all the way to the tail lamps. A softer, lower character line rises up the car’s flank creating a play of light and shadow – a fundamental feature of fluidic sculpture," Thomas Bürkle concluded.

Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe, commented, "We expect the new-generation i30 to appeal to young, progressive buyers who want a car that not only performs well but looks great too. In this way, the new-generation i30 will contribute to future sales success, growing brand awareness and improving perceptions of Hyundai among European consumers."

"The car has been designed to take on the leading vehicles in the C-segment and join the all-new i40 as a quality benchmark for Hyundai. Our ultimate customer care package, Five Year Triple Care, will be a valuable point of differentiation for the new-generation i30 in its highly competitive class," Allan Rushforth added.

The award-winning Five Year Triple Care package provides five years of unlimited-mileage warranty, five years of roadside assistance, and five years of vehicle health checks.

The company’s press conference will take place in Hall 6 at 12:00 (CET) on Tuesday 13th September 2011.

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