Hyundai i35 sedan named for Australia
New small sedan fills the gap for Korean marque, sports face of next i30The new Hyundai Avante (or Elantra in some markets, pictured) will most likely be badged i35 when it lands in Australia in Q2 next year.
The nomenclature was let slip at a tour of Hyundai's Asun sedan manufacturing plant by an employee caught off-guard by questioning. Until now, such questions have been well deflected by local press representatives, although the Carsales Network speculated that the new car would be known in Australia by the name i35 over three months ago.
The naming convention follows the remainder of the brand's 'i' designated family sitting between i30 hatch and larger i45 sedan. An i40 wagon is also reported to be on the way.
Styled in Hyundai's 'fluidic sculpture' design language, the smart small sedan will go head-to-head with the likes of Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, even challenging Korean cousin Kia Cerato for a slice of the market.
It's also believed the new styling will also front a mid-model facelift for i30, possibly as early as next year.
Under the bonnet the i35 will feature the same normally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as found in i30, with the added possibility of a 1.6-litre turbodiesel. It's not yet confirmed whether the 1.6-litre petrol variant offered in entry-level i30 models will be made available. Fuel economy, CO2 emissions figures and will be announced at launch.
A petrol-electric hybrid version will also available in South Korean and North American markets, but this will miss the boat for Australia.
Hyundai unveiled the Avante at this year's Busan International Motor Show showing not only new styling, but up-to-the-minute features including Bluetooth mobile phone connection and audio streaming, proximity key security and neat colour TFT LCD display screen nestled between the two gauges of the instrument panel.
The display model was powered by Hyundai's 1.6-litre Gamma GDI (Gasoline Direction Injection) four-cylinder engine which develops 103kW of power.
Video available courtesy Automotive TV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=KR&v=34LC5nLbM5k
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