Hyundai i30's secret weapon: ISG

Hyundai has launched a new fuel-saving technology in its Hyundai i30 range in the UK, called ISG, or Intelligent Stop and Go. However Australian models are not in line to get the upgrade at this stage.

The ISG technology is like other stop-start systems permeating the market, and works by shutting off the engine when the car is at rest -- such as when waiting at traffic lights. This saves fuel and reduces emissions, particularly in urban driving cycles.

The Senior Manager Product Communications and Public Relations for Hyundai Australia, Ben Hershman, told the Carsales Network that the stop-start engine technology is only available in Europe, but that things may change down the track.

"ISG (Idle Stop/Go) is only made for the European market at Hyundai's new facility at Nosovice in the Czech Republic and sold in the European market," said Hershman.

"We would have to guarantee the factory in Korea [where Australian market i30s are built] sufficient demand for those items to justify them being made there, but that is something we are working on."

The 2010 model Hyundai i30 was launched in Australia in October 2009, which saw the entry level SX model join the rest of the i30 range in adding side and curtain airbags as standard equipment, but the ISG technology is only offered on European i30 models.

Australia's major cities are highly urbanised centres, comparable to many European cities, and with several vehicles already available with stop-go technology in Australia (albeit mainly in the prestige segment), the ISG technology would be another arrow in the i30's quiver.

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