Hyundai warms over i30 hatch

Hyundai is slowly but surely ramping up its performance offerings in Australia, and the latest example is the i30 SR hatch.

Pitched as Hyundai's fastest i30 yet, the new i30 SR is priced from $27,990 and comes with a new 129kW engine and Australian-tuned suspension.

The locally developed i30 SR made its global debut in Australia today -- 10 months after it was previewed at the 2012 Sydney motor show -- boasting sharper handling, faster acceleration and more bling.

With a swag of new features, including a new 2.0-litre direct-injected petrol engine, Hyundai’s second SR model in Australia (after the Veloster SR Turbo launched in August 2012) will duke it out with the Holden Cruze SRi-V ($26,490) and Nissan Pulsar SSS ($29,240) warm hatches.

The 2013 i30 SR is offered with a six-speed manual as standard (the six-speed auto adds an extra $2200) and is powered by a 2.0-litre GDI four-cylinder petrol engine that revs to 6500rpm and generates 129kW/209Nm.

It's the same engine used by sister brand Kia in its Cerato, but more importantly represents an increase of 19kW and 31Nm over the i30 hatchback's 1.8-litre engine.

The 129kW powerplant also improves the car's straightline acceleration, sprinting to 100km/h in just 7.7 seconds in the manual (8.6 seconds in the auto), which is a considerable 1.4 seconds faster than the 1.8-litre i30 hatch.

Fuel consumption for the i30 SR is listed at 7.2L/100km for the manual and 7.5L/100im for the auto.

The i30 SR can't match the turbocharged performance of the Holden Cruze SRi-V (132kW/230Nm) or Nissan Pulsar SSS (140kW/240Nm), which complete the 0-100km/h dash in around 7.5 seconds.

But in real-world conditions they're closely matched in accelerative terms and the SR punches above its weight in terms of standard equipment.

Based on the $24,590 Hyundai i30 Elite hatch, the i30 SR comes standard with a rich list of convenience features. That means seven airbags, electronic stability control, push-button engine starting with proximity key, a seven-inch colour infotainment touch-screen with satellite-navigation and even SUNA live traffic updates.

Rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, dual-zone climate-control, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, six-speaker stereo with Bluetooth, Aux and USB inputs and a premium steering wheel are also gratis.

There’s also ‘leatherette’ seat upholstery, a power adjustable driver's seat, alloy pedals, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, LED brake lights, xenon headlights and a subtle rear diffuser. A panoramic glass roof is a $2000 option.

On top of the engine transplant, the sportiest i30 benefits from a unique chassis tune fettled by a team of Australian engineers.

A small contingent of Hyundai's Australia engineers worked on the i30 SR's suspension to tailor it specifically for local conditions, replacing the front springs with stiffer items and re-valving the dampers.

Shock-absorber supplier Sachs was also called in to help fine-tune the calibration, developing 'bespoke' front and rear dampers. according to Hyundai.

Testing was carried out on a range of different road surfaces, including dirt roads, highways and country roads, while "high-speed circuit driving tests" were also undertaken.

"We aimed for a set-up that was communicative, responsive and well controlled,” says Hyundai Motor Company Australia Product Planning Manager and lead development driver Andrew Tuitahi.

"I’m confident we’ve achieved that. The i30 SR has increased dynamic ability without sacrificing everyday usability. Most importantly, it’s also great fun to drive," says Tuitahi.

Former Holden executive and now Hyundai Australia's Chief Operating Officer, John Elsworth, hinted that we could see more Australian-developed performance cars from the Korean brand in future.

"Like the Veloster SR Turbo, which also has a locally developed suspension tune, the i30 SR is a clear representation of Hyundai Motor Company's willingness to embrace Australian product initiatives," he said.

Hyundai says it aims to sell between 200 and 250 i30 SR models per month, accounting for around 10% of total i30 sales.

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