Hyundai refreshes its smallest model

Hyundai's facelifted i20 has slipped into Australian showrooms, bringing fresh styling, more equipment, a new six-speed manual transmission and improved fuel economy.

For the privilege, i20 buyers will pay $100 more across the range, with Hyundai's smallest and cheapest model in Australia now priced from $15,590 plus on-road costs for the entry-level three-door 1.4-litre Active manual.

A larger 1.6-litre petrol engine continues to remain the domain of Hyundai's larger (but still Light segment-sized) Accent hatch and sedan, and there is no sign of the turbodiesel engines offered in other markets, including a 1.4-litre, the Accent's 1.6 or a new 1.1-litre triple now available in Europe.

Likewise, the most affordable five-door in the all-1.4-litre i20 range now costs $16,590, while the flagship i20 1.4 Elite five-door is also $100 pricier, commanding the same $1000 premium at $17,590.

An automatic transmission continues to cost an extra $2000, with metallic, pearl metallic or mica exterior paint remaining a further $495 option. That means that while the cheapest i20 is now just $1400 less than the base Accent, all i20s are still priced under $20,000 before extras and statutory costs -- including the range-topping i20 Elite auto ($19,590).

Hyundai said that rather than reducing i20 prices - as expected following last year's discontinuation of the top-selling Getz, which was priced as low as $12,990 drive-away and comprised up to a quarter of all Hyundais sold in Australia -- its decision to increase i20 pricing was a reflection of limited supply.

"Hyundai is actually a very pragmatic company,” Hyundai Motor Company Australia's Director of Marketing Oliver Mann told motoring.com.au. "We've added spec and chose not to reposition the car downward, because we'll sell every one we can get.”

Mr Mann said the Indian-built i20 -- launched here in July 2010 at a base price of $14,990, before the addition of electronic stability control and six airbags for all models increased the base price by $500 to $15,490 in October 2011 -- and the Korean-sourced Accent range launched here in July 2011 had filled the sales breach created by the demise of Getz.

"We're happy with how i20 and Accent are going,” he said. "Between them they've more than covered the footprint vacated by Getz. Given free supply they would have done even better.”

Sales of the i20 are up by no less than 82.4 per cent to May this year, with 4605 sales representing an 8.5 per cent share of the mainstream light-car segment. Combined with 3259 Accent sales, which accounts for 6 per cent, Hyundai's two light segment models have attracted 7864 customers to command a 14.5 per cent share of the light sector.

At the same time last year, the Getz found 8533 buyers (for a 15.7 per cent share), while to May in 2010 it notched up 9627 sales for a 17.4 per cent share.

First revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the midlife i20 makeover's chief mechanical change -- at least in Australia - is the fitment of a new six-speed manual transmission as standard for all variants.

Matched to the same 73.5kW/136Nm 1.4-litre Gamma petrol four, Hyundai's new proprietary six-speed manual reduced combined fuel consumption for all models to 5.3 litres per 100km (and average CO2 emissions to 126 grams per kilometre) -- down from 6.0L/100km for the five-speed it replaces.

There is no change to the i20's outdated four-speed automatic transmission, which continues to return 6.4L/100km, despite the move to a six-speed automatic by direct rivals including the Holden Barina, Ford Fiesta and Kia Rio. While VW's Polo even comes with the option of a seven-speed dual-clutch auto, self-shifting versions of the i20, Accent, Suzuki Swift, Honda Jazz and Toyota's top-selling Yaris make do with four speeds.

All Australian i20s have come standard with six airbags and electronic stability control (and therefore a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating) since late last year, but this upgrade brings the addition of Hyundai's Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) active safety system, which integrates the ESC, speed-sensitive Motor Driven Power System (MDPS), and traction control (TCS) systems to provide enhanced directional stability via a new active steering function.

There is still no sign of cruise control for the i20, but other standard safety features continue to include twin front, front-side (thorax) and full-length side curtain airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners with load limiters, seatbelt reminders and height-adjustable head restraints for all five occupants and four-wheel disc brakes (256/262mm diameter front/rear) with ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BAS), plus remote central door locking, an engine immobiliser and alarm.

Designed at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre at Rüsselsheim in Germany, the upgraded i20 is visually differentiated by the Hyundai's latest signature hexagonal grille, as well as a new bonnet, front quarter panels and redesigned bumpers at both ends.

Other new exterior items include side repeater lamps integrated into the wing mirrors -- which are now power-folding - revised tail-lights and updated wheel designs -- including the entry-level Active variant's 14-inch wheel covers and the Elite's 15-inch alloys.

Cosmetic changes run deep inside too, including a new centre fascia with piano-black inserts, new woven cloth seat trims and the addition of a one-touch lane-change indicator function, while all models are available in two new exterior paint colours: 'Ember' grey metallic and 'Pristine' blue mica.

Elite variants also gain new front foglight treatments, while Active models now receive the Elite's trip computer, comprising distance to empty, instant and average L/100km, elapsed time and trip odometer functions.

All models continue to feature air-conditioning, power windows, tilt/reach-adjustable steering wheel, height-adjustable driver's seat, a cooled glovebox, a full-size spare wheel and an integrated infotainment system including Bluetooth phone and media streaming, CD/MP3/WMA player and AM/FM tuner with auxiliary audio and USB inputs.

As before, Elite models add larger alloys, front foglights, steering wheel audio controls, two extra speakers, a leather-clad steering wheel and gear knob, front passenger seat bag hook and luggage net.

There are no changes to the i20 MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension set-up, which was tuned specifically for Australian conditions.

Hyundai this week also released mildly upgraded MY13 ix35 compact SUV and Elantra sedan models -- the latter scoring a 5-inch colour touchscreen as standard for no extra costs -- as well as the all-new i40 medium sedan (see separate story).

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