Hyundai launches i40 sedan

Hyundai has landed its third midsize model in Australia, with the i40 sedan now on sale from $29,990.

Undercutting the identically specified i40 Tourer (priced from $32,490) by $2500 but commanding a $3000 premium over the larger US-designed i45 (from $26,990), the Euro-centric i40 sedan arrives in three equipment levels, each with the choice of 2.0-litre petrol or 1.7-litre diesel engines. However, while the older 2.0-litre petrol four in the entry-level i45 sedan (which is expected to be discontinued soon) delivers 121kW and 198Nm, the i40’s newer ‘Nu’ GDI direct-injection 2.0-litre offers 131kW and 214Nm.

Like its wagon sibling, the German-designed and engineered i40 sedan also comes better equipped than the i45, offering no fewer than nine airbags and a host of advanced driver aids.

As with the 2.0 and 2.4-litre petrol-only i45, both i40 engines come with the option of six-speed manual and optional ($2000) automatic transmissions, the latter adding steering-wheel paddle shifters.

The unique-to-i40 diesel engine commands a $2600 premium over equivalent petrol models. That sees the cheapest i40 Active diesel sedan priced from $32,590.

While the midrange auto-only Elite grade is positioned $5000 upstream at $36,990 (petrol), the auto-only Premium is a further $5000 more expensive ($41,990). The Premium diesel auto tops the i40 sedan range at $44,590.

Apart from a smoother Euro look and Hyundai’s new ‘U-II’ CRDi 1.7-litre variable-geometry turbodiesel engine, which produces 100kW and 320Nm (330Nm in the base Active manual), compared to the i45, the smaller and lighter i40 sedan also introduces Hyundai all-new satellite-navigation system with SUNA live traffic updates and an integrated seven-inch colour touch-screen (Elite and Premium models only).

The i40 Active CRDi turbodiesel manual sedan sets a new efficiency benchmark in the medium segment by returning combined fuel consumption of just 4.7L/100km (the same as the base i40 Tourer).

The i40 Active diesel auto returns 5.6L/100km (Elite/Premium: 6.0L/100km), while the Active petrol manual returns 6.8L/100km (auto: 7.5L/100km; Elite/Premium: 7.7L/100km).

Also like the Tourer, it comes with segment-first features like an automatic front windscreen de-fog function (unavailable on Active variants) and, for Premium versions only, heated rear seats and heated/ventilated front seats.

Other advanced features for i40 Premium models include an Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFLS), rear-view camera, driver’s seat memory and a powered three-piece tilt/slide panoramic glass sunroof. Elite variants also offer solar glass with tinted rear privacy glass, a cooled glovebox, dual-zone climate-control, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and premium seven-speaker sound system.

Standard safety features across the i40 range includes nine airbags, Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Anti-skid Braking System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Emergency Stop System (ESS) and a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The standard i40 equipment list also extends to front and rear parking sensors, LED daytime running lights, LED tail-lights, a speed-limiter, cruise control, electric parking brake, static bending lights, a blue-lit supervision instrument cluster, trip computer, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, automatic headlights, projector beam headlights, CD/MP3/AM/FMplayer with USB/auxiliary inputs and an auto up-down function for all four windows.

The i40 sedan comes with the same high-gloss back interior surfaces, soft-touch fabrics and alloy-effect fascia trim as the Tourer, but offers a 505-litre boot – smaller than the 50mm-longer and 20mm wider i45’s (523 litres) and that of the top-selling Toyota Camry (535 litres).

Hyundai is keen to point out that like all new Australian models the i40’s speed-sensitive Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) and MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension benefits from an extensive local tuning program.

The i40’s all-black interior trim can be wrapped in eight exterior paint colours, including Sleek Silver (metallic), Titanium Silver (metallic), Stone Grey (metallic), Phantom Black (metallic) and Blue Spirit (Mica), plus Creamy White (solid) for the Active and Elite variants, and White Crystal (Mica) and Eco Beige (metallic) for the Premium model only.

Launched here in May 2010, the i45 sedan -- Hyundai’s largest passenger model in Australia -- has so far this year found 1667 buyers for a 6.2 per cent share of the medium sales segment. The i40 Tourer (released here in October 2011) has this year generated 682 sales and a 2.5 per cent segment share.

Combined, the two midsizers already make Hyundai the fourth best selling brand in the medium segment, behind Toyota (Camry), Honda (Accord Euro) and Mazda (6).

Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are the only countries to receive both Hyundai medium sedans.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia’s Director of Marketing Oliver Mann said the VF-series i40 is expected to attract a younger audience than the YF-series i45, which should remain more heavily fleet-oriented.

“They’re both midsize sedans, but the i40 will appeal to a different buyer type...

“We’ve been selling about 150 (i40) wagons a month, but we’d like to do a bit more than that. The sedan will consolidate our share of the medium segment. Enjoying success in the medium segment is very important to us.”

Mr Mann said that, given free supply, HMCA expects to sell up to 300 examples of the i40 sedan and wagon a month.

Hyundai i40 sedan pricing (plus on-road costs):
Active 2.0 manual - $29,990
Active 2.0 auto - $31,990
Active 1.7 manual - $32,590
Active 1.7 auto - $34,590
Elite 2.0 auto - $36,990
Elite 1.7 auto - $39,590
Premium 2.0 auto - $41,990
Premium 1.7 auto - $44,590

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