BETTER PARTSIntroducing: Hyundai i30 the Korean "Volkswagen"
The Korean "Volkswagen"
The accolade came 2011 at the IAA as the former VW boss Martin Winterkorn in a secretly filmed video compared to his Chief Designer praised manufacturing quality of the just revealed Hyundai i30 steering wheel adjustment. "There nothing rattles. We can't do it. Why can he do this?" Winterkorn is no longer, the Hyundai i30 can it still. The third generation, which rolls on January 28, at prices from 17.450 euro to the dealer, has lost none of his qualities. On the contrary, in terms of standard safety, the i30 is the best thing to get is just in the compact segment. And also the Korean Golf alternative has approached rival Wolfsburg.
Especially from the rear view, the similarities are striking. The tail in the width, the taillights running horizontally around the corner, the wide C-pillar with the chamfer in the tailgate is also reminiscent of Opel Astra. For Hyundai's European product manager, RAF van Nuffel, the i30 is the "new Volkswagen", also nothing less than where the German Hyundai director Markus Schrick translated "new peoples car" rather than "Car for everyone".
What is immediately striking: gone are the tricks and turns at the plate. Front and flanks now very extensively decorated. A discreet shoulder line of the rear lights and the headlights, as well as a slight depression between front and rear wheel arches give the body contour. Elegant is the new face of the brand with the long, curved front hood, the trapezoidal cut headlights and the "Cascades grille inspired by running down steel", see Hyundai's marketing in the hexagonal Grill, and all future Hyundai models to wear.
Four centimeters to 4.34 meters stretched and almost ten centimeters wide presents itself the new i30 also now somewhat flatter than its predecessor, which are accordingly handsome leaves him on the street. Although the wheelbase with 2.65 meters remained unchanged, the adult proportions create more space for people and luggage. Front as rear adults sit comfortably with good head and amount. The boot swallows in the normal state, including double cargo floor decent 395 litres, 17 more than before. Conversely the volume shrinks however at 15 to 1301 l when the rear seatback to a slight slant to be switched over.
The Interior is a very "German" impression. Do you mean: clearly arranged cockpit, tidy instrument order, high-quality materials and a sense for the details on how the fine to see silver gerandeten buttons, switches and knobs. Of them, we count although over 50 but clearly sorted in two levels, so that also the control not riddles. For the timely handling of audio and telephone towers a 8-inch TFT touch screen on the instrument panel. But is having as well as the much-lauded Smartphone connectivity, only at an additional cost (750-1300 Euro) as a navigation package. The regular equipment must settle for monochrome monitors or maximum 5-inch LCD touchscreen without phone connection.
© HyundaiHyundai i30. However, shines the i30 already in the base with lush facilities, in addition to air conditioning and audio system, multi function steering wheel, cruise control with limiter, six airbags, a high beam and lane with steering intervention, Hill Start assist, fatigue Warner and a city emergency brake function to light sensor to speed 75. No other automaker currently offers so much security in series. In the top premium also a distance radar pitch control with stop & go function (in combination with double clutch), city emergency brake with collision Warner and pedestrian detection, as well as a knee airbag for the driver are ex works. Optionally, a dead angle and cross traffic Warner (300 Euro) as well as a traffic sign recognition and rearview camera within the mentioned navigation package available are as alert package. But also the comfort not neglected in the four other trim levels. With 2-zone climate control, DAB radio, leather seats, smart key system, full LED headlamps, as well as up to 17-inch-wide alloy wheels moves the i30 on par with the class geek.
This applies no less to driving. Above all the precise, fast and directly engaging steering you like, as well as the comfortable tuned suspension, resulting in a very safe and harmonious handling the bottom line. The most well-known engine program that consists of three petrol engines and diesel engines in the range from 95 to 140 HP, the four-cylinder turbo petrol engine offered for the first time at Hyundai is 1.4 T-GDI. The 140 HP strong unit with direct injection shows an almost sporty beginning with 242 nm torque from 1500 rpm, sprints in fleet 8.9 seconds to 100, purrs on the long-haul apparently silently to himself and surrenders the fast Ampelhopping nor dedicated cornering behind the exit a bareness. Although in the latter case the 5.4 liter standard consumption then move far away. Instead of the standard six-speed transmission, also a quick and imperceptible switching 7-speed dual clutch DCT takes over the switching work on request (1900 euros). Also in the two diesel versions with 110 HP and 136 HP, the DCT circuit for relaxed and economical progress is responsible. Especially in the more powerful version, the combination produces a lively and smooth interaction. And when running it for relaxed, even consumption just above the standard 4.1 liter are possible.
However, the new Turbo petrol engine is also the end of the flagpole, there is no more powerful engines for the time being. In the spring, a particularly sporty N-version should follow after the wagon Variant while in October. But with the services of 250 HP and 275 HP leaves a huge gap in the drive program, probably as well as in the purse. Hybrid drives, with or without connector, as well as electric versions are currently not on the agenda. For Hyundai expects large crowds by a new fastback body variant, that early 2018 is to replace the Coupé.
The prices are ambiguous. The i30 launches pure 17.450 euro in the basic version included the mentioned rich equipment. However, the first of five facilities only with the 100-HP entry petrol engine is to get. Who wants a different engine, must already to the next higher version of select access, which is then already 19 700 euros with the 120 HP strong 1-litre three-cylinder. The 1.6 CRDi diesel engine starts only in the 95-HP version 21 300 euro. The new 1.4 liter turbo gasoline engine in turn is only available in the Middle trend execution for at least 23 750 euro and is in the top premium with 26 450 euro in the list. The strongest 1.6Diesel marks the tip but with 136 PS 28 850 euro.
So confident as the prices, is also managing director Markus Schrick, of the i30 not longer than "Asian bargain, but to be a serious competitor" on the shopping list of compact car buyers. "We want to be a real alternative to VW." For former VW head Martin Winterkorn was it six years ago. (ampnet/wal)
Technical data: Hyundai i30 blue 1.4 T-GDI
Dimensions (length x width x height in m): 4.34 x 1,80 x 1.46 wheelbase (m): 2.65 engine: CC four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, 1353, direct injection performance: 103 kW / 140 PS at 6000 RPM maximum torque: 242 NM at 1500 rpm maximum speed: 210 km/h acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 8.9 s consumption (average according to EU standard): 5.4 l of carbon dioxide per kilometre: 124 g (Euro 6) fuel tank capacity : 50 litre unladen weight (DIN) / load: 1279 kg / 541 kg turning circle: 10.6 m ground clearance: 140 mm luggage room: 395-1301 l tires: 225/45 R 17 base price: 22 350 Euro