Hyundai i20 moves upmarket
With more premium features as standard, the new light car from Hyundai has arrived in Australia priced from $14,990Hyundai's new i20 light car will hit Australian showrooms this month and will be sold alongside the now superseded Getz until at least mid-next year.
Priced from $14,990 before government and delivery charges are added, the i20 is no longer the price leader in the segment. The new compact car instead offering premium features such as iPod connectivity, anti-lock brakes and stability control to see it target such rivals as the Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta.
Additionally, from September onward, the i20 will be fitted as standard with six airbags on all models across the range, giving it a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Initially however, the base model will arrive without side or curtain airbags, Hyundai quiet on whether additional airbags will inflate the base model's sub $15K starting price.
Although designed and developed in Europe, Hyundai Australia says the i20 bas been optimised for Australian conditions. Chassis and steering changes have been made to suit local roads.
Aimed squarely at the under-34 market, i20's target demographic is in stark contrast to the out-going Getz, the majority of that model's buyers in the over 50 age bracket. Tech-savvy features and a high-level of standard equipment certain to prove popular with the younger crowd.
"Under 34s view technology as goal posts that keep moving, they are already telling us that even as light car buyers, they want to be able to access internet and other online services on the move," Hyundai Australia's director of marketing Oliver Mann told the Carsales network.
"These light car buyers are conscious of the perceived compromises in the segment, but are looking for a car that they're proud to own and enjoy driving."
Available in three trim levels: Active, Elite, Premium; the i20 model mix offers both three- and five-door variants with a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines.
Entry-level Active scores the lower capacity 1.4-litre engine, the fuel injected and variable valve timing equipped unit delivering an output of 73kW/136Nm, plus a claimed combined fuel economy figure of 6.0L/100km. Active is fitted with 15-inch steel wheels and is available in both three- and five-door guise.
Stepping up the range, the five-door only Elite and Premium models will feature the larger 1.6-litre engine, developing 91kW/156Nm. Elite models gain 15-inch alloy wheels, a trip computer and remote steering wheel-mounted audio controls. The top-shelf Premium variants add 16-inch alloys, part-leather upholstery and single-zone climate control.
Five-speed manual gearboxes are fitted as standard to all models with an optional four-speed automatic transmission available for $2000 on all variants.
2010 Hyundai i20 pricing:
5-door $15,990 (m) / $17,990 (a)
Premium
5-door $21,490 (m) / $23,490 (a)
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