i30 does diesel cheap

Hyundai's new i30 arrives this month. And not only is its Euro styling a departure for the Korean brand, but its pricing is set to blow the local diesel small hatch market wide open.

Starting at $18,990 the i30 will be available with either a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine or 1.6-litre turbodiesel priced from $21,490. Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) says the entry level oiler i30 CRDi undercuts its nearest small car turbodiesel competitors by more than $6000.

The turbodiesel's $2500 premium is countered with impressive figures for fuel consumption. Indeed, the i30 returns a hybrid-rivalling 4.7lt/100km!

The i30's petrol engine is an upgraded version of the company's Beta 2.0-litre unit, rated at 105kW/186Nm. Fuel consumption is 7.2lt/100km with manual and 7.6lt/100km for automatic versions.

Of a possible six engine options available in overseas markets, Australia at this stage sees only two. However, Hyundai Australia's Kevin McCann told the Carsales Network that a 2.0-litre diesel engine, available in markets such as right-hand drive UK, is also under consideration for local showrooms.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine i30 is offered with either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The i30 CRDi is initially offered with a five-speed manual only. Hyundai says it will make the four-speed auto available for the turbodiesel model early next year.

The i30 introduces new specification badging, with the sports-oriented SR model for the 2.0-litre as the new range-topper.

Three spec levels are available for the petrol engine i30, starting with SX which includes 15-inch wheels, tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel and Hyundai's new media (MP3) player centre with USB-compatible CD/MP3/WMA audio system.

Next-up SLX i30s come with 16-inch alloys, front fog lights, climate control and cruise control, while the SR adds 17-inch alloys and 225/45 performance tyres, body kit, leather-trimmed seat bolsters and upgraded sound system.

The i30 CRDi is offered in SX or SLX spec only.

All models come with dual front airbags, anti-whiplash front headrests and ABS as standard. SLX adds front side and curtain airbags. The i30 SR gets stability control program and traction control as standard. Hyundai offers its ‘Protectz Packs' to make up differences in safety equipment between model grades.

The i30 will be sold alongside the Elantra sedan but the hatch is expected to appeal to a wider range of buyers, especially younger customers, with its ‘iPodability' and Euro styling.

HMCA says the i30 will serve as the hatchback option among Hyundai's small car range, strengthening its chances of weighing in on the 230,000 sales it anticipates for the segment.

The i30 was designed in Europe to take on the likes of Toyota Auris (Corolla), Mitsubishi Lancer and Mazda3 but with its turbodiesel advantage, it's the Mazda and small European oilers such as Ford Focus and VW Golf that the i30 is really after.

On price the i30 CRDi makes a strong argument, and as we discovered on the local launch around Sydney, the 1.6-litre turbodiesel unit is also quiet and responsive.

Visit the Carsales Network again soon for our drive impressions of the CRDi and 2.0-litre petrol i30 models.

Hyundai i30 pricing (excludes on-road costs)
i30 SX 2.0 manual -- $18,990
i30 SX 2.0 automatic -- $20,990
i30 SX CRDi manual -- $21,490
(Protectz safety upgrade for SX models $1790)

i30 SLX 2.0 manual -- $23,490
i30 SLX 2.0 automatic -- $25,490
i30 SLX CRDi manual -- $25,990
(Protectz safety upgrade for SLX models $990)

i30 SR 2.0 manual -- $26,490
i30 SR 2.0 automatic -- $26,490

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