Specifically designed and developed for Europe, with the i30 Korea’s leading car maker has produced a stylish model that will blend seamlessly into the UK’s C segment and a car that is capable of competing with the very best in its class.

 

Thanks to exacting engineering standards and superb build quality, matched with a well thought out Euro-specific design and exceptional levels of equipment and finish, i30 is all set to take the fight to the fully established European marques, like Ford’s Focus, Renault’s Mégane, Citroën’s C4, Mazda’s 3 and Peugeot’s 307.

 

Hyundai’s highly acclaimed and multi-award-winning Santa Fe has already proven Hyundai can build a car capable of beating the best that Europe can offer in the SUV segment.

 

In terms of packaging, quality, driving dynamics, safety, style and image, i30 now takes Hyundai to a new level in the family car category and is capable of equalling or bettering anything in its class in Europe. In a first for Hyundai on its passenger cars, ESP, a safety system which, combined with electronic traction control, balances power and braking to help the driver maintain control over the direction of the vehicle at all times, is fitted as standard to all models in the i30 range.

 

The system assists the driver in the event that he or she is forced to swerve the vehicle, to avoid a collision for example, or if traction is lost when cornering. ESP helps to keep the vehicle headed in the intended direction where it might otherwise unavoidably slide, or worse, spin out of control, often ending up facing in the opposite direction.

 

Other key safety features across the range include active front head restraints to reduce the risk of whiplash injury, passenger, driver and full length curtain airbags, passenger airbag deactivation switch, front and rear seatbelt reminder system, seatbelt pretensioners and ISOfix childseat fixing points in the rear. Added range-wide comfort and equipment features include, front fog lights, remote-locking folding key, glovebox cooling, electrically heated door mirrors and a trip computer.

 

As a continuing demonstration of its faith in the durability and build quality of its products, the i30, like every new Hyundai sold in the UK, comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and 10-year anti perforation warranty and, should the worst ever happen, a three-year RAC roadside assistance package, all included as standard.

 

As well as being the model to introduce a whole new way of naming Hyundai models, i30 introduces a new, cleaner look where badging is concerned.  Trim levels, of which there will be three in the UK, will not be depicted anywhere on the car, while diesel models will be identifiable only by a ‘CRDi’ (the name of Hyundai diesel engines) badge on the sides beneath the indicator repeater lights.

Engines

Diesel is more relevant to the C-segment now than ever before. And the i30 has a choice of two state-of-the-art oil-burning units offering exactly what today’s drivers demand of a diesel car, superb performance matched with excellent economy (more than 60 mpg Combined Cycle economy for the 1.6 litre diesel manual) and low harmful emissions, made even better thanks to the addition of a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).

A new 1.6 litre diesel engine offers a sporty 115 PS and 255 Nm of torque, while a new 2.0 litre diesel unit combined with a six speed manual transmission offers a dynamic driving experience with 140 PS and a torrent of torque (304 Nm) making possible 0-62 mph in just 10.3 seconds and a top speed of 127.3 mph.

All the diesel units feature Hyundai’s Variable Geometry Turbo-charging (VGT), low friction balance shaft technology and high-pressure common rail diesel injection for minimised engine originated NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).

Five and six-speed manual gearboxes and a four-speed automatic transmission are available, depending on the model.  Automatic transmission is offered as an option with the 1.6-litre petrol and diesel variants. The range-topping 2.0-litre diesel has a six-speed manual gearbox to help maximise the engine’s performance potential.

Engineered For A Better Drive

The anti-lock braking system features electronic brake force distribution, ensuring the stopping power is always distributed to the wheels with most grip. Combined with ESP across the line-up, i30 offers a new level of driver confidence in the C segment.

Should the worst happen, however, twin front and front-side airbags plus full-length curtain airbags come as standard across the range.  There is also a cut-off switch for the front passenger airbag, so that a rear-facing child seat can be used in the front passenger seat.

In the rear of all variants there are two ISOfix child-seat mounting points.  Intelligent active headrests, again across the range, meanwhile, help minimise the risk of whiplash injury should the vehicle be unavoidably hit from the rear.

i30 Winning in the Space Race

The i30 matches above average occupant space with generous, easy access luggage capacity. A useful and fully useable 821mm length, 1,040 mm width and 558mm height in the luggage area gives an impressive 340 litres load volume with the rear seats upright. With the 60/40 split rear seats folded flat, the load length is increased to 1,141 mm increasing the load volume to 1,250 litres.

Service Intervals and Insurance

Service intervals will be 12 months or 12,500 miles whichever comes first.