What is it?
The next generation of the Hyundai i30, due on sale in spring next year. We got a sneak peak at it
last week before its official unveiling in Frankfurt, but now it's out in the open. You only have to glance to see the similarities with its i40 brethren - it's almost identical at the front, which confirms where the Korean firm's styling is heading for future models.
Why's it here?
Because it will probably be Hyundai's biggest seller. The outgoing i30 sold in excess of 300,000 units in four years, so it's been spectacularly successful. Hyundai is hoping to emulate that with the new model, which has the same kind of quality and class inside as the i40 (again, the interior is almost identical).
Show stopper or floor filler?
It won't outshine the supercars but the Hyundai i30 is certainly very significant. It will come with six engines - three petrol and three diesel - with 89- to 133bhp. The most frugal of those will be the i30 Blue, with a revised version of the 1.6-litre diesel engine producing 126bhp and less than 100g/km. Hyundai reckons it has significantly improved safety features over and above the previous model, lowering insurance costs as a result. Specification is likely to be very generous, too, with a panoramic sunroof and a dual-zone climate control on mid-range models. There'll be a three-door variant along later in the model's lifetime and there's an active steering system as standard, which reduces or ups the amount of power assistance depending on driving conditions.
Frankfurt Motor Show
Jack Carfrae - 14 Sep 2011