FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Next generation Hyundai i30

Expectations are high with the second generation of Hyundai's game-changer, the i30 hatch.

Following an act like the first i30 was never going to be easy, but Hyundai has picked up the baton and at the Frankfurt motor show gave us an i30 that not only matches the best of its competitors in contemporary style, but also ups the ante on eco-friendly engine design.

The brainchild of Hyundai's Russelsheim technical centre, the i30 is a tad bigger, is claimed to be roomier, safer (anticipated, like the current model, to get five EuroNCAP stars), classier, more thrifty and cleaner.

The latest example of Hyundai's "fluidic sculpture" design theme, the five-door hatch features the company's "signature" hexagonal grille and the pronounced wedge shape common in the small car class. The company says it is "very close to the all-new i40" in its design themes.

Longer (by 55mm) and a touch wider (by 5mm), but slightly lower (by 10mm), the new i30 brings a "roomier interior" than the current model, while also bumping boot capacity by 10 per cent, to 378 litres. Comparing the figures tells an interesting story regarding the claimed increase in passenger space though: Front and rear legroom, according to the figures, are actually down slightly (by 38mm and 10mm respectively), as is rear headroom (by 17mm), although shoulder room is up by 15mm and 5mm respectively, front and rear.

It would be a bit hopeful to expect more, given that the i30's wheelbase remains unchanged at 2650mm. The extra body length appears to mainly come from the extended front overhang.

Hyundai also claims the new i30 notches-up quality, once again referring to the i40 as the standard-setter. European buyers will be able to specify the new "Flex Steer" option that provides three operating modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport – for the steering, while features such as a large touch-screen display for the (optional) satellite navigation and a "TFT Supervision cluster" that informs the driver of "essential information" are intended to bring a more upmarket ambience.

Dual-zone climate control is standard, and a panoramic sunroof is listed among the options.

The anticipated EuroNCAP rating comes from standard features such as stability control with VSM Vehicle Stability Management, anti-lock brakes and six airbags. A seventh, driver knee bag is listed as optional.

Where Hyundai has invested heavily is under the bonnet.

Starting with a 1.4-litre turbodiesel producing 66kW/220Nm and embracing the familiar-to-Australia 1.6-litre engine, there's now an upgraded version of the latter that produces more power and torque than before (94kW compared to 85kW and 260Nm compared to 255Nm), while also bringing CO2 emissions below 100g/km.

But the biggest interest is to be found in the new Gamma petrol engines, also displacing 1.4 litres and 1.6 litres that churn out very respectable, normally aspirated power figures.

The 1.4-litre version, for example, manages 73kW/137Nm while the 1.6-litre, which is available in two states of tune, produces 88kW/156Nm in its base MPI form and 99kW/164Nm in higher-compression, GDI direct injection form.

Although Hyundai didn’t wheel out much more information other than the sub-100g/km CO2 reading for the upgraded diesel, the new 1.6-litre Gamma engines are close to a match for the current 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder in outright power, if down a bit in torque delivery. Emissions and fuel economy are bound to show improvements.

The new i30 will be produced at the company's plant in Czech Republic and is expected to go on sale in Australia around mid 2012. Pricing and specifications for Australia will be announced closer to the launch.

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