New Hyundais head Down Under

Hyundai will launch at least six new models Down Under over the next 12 months. Speaking at a prelaunch drive of the new PD-series i30, Hyundai Australia sales boss Scott Grant called the new model offensive “unprecedented”.

“We have a huge amount going on. We are going to be seeing a lot of each other. This is an unprecedented level of product investment and product activity,” he told motoring.com.au.

The new i30 kicks off proceedings, arriving in Australia in April. Pricing details, model walk and specifications are yet to be confirmed and are unlikely to be announced until March.

However, Grant has already flagged price increases and the expectation that the new model will sell a richer mix of variants in this generation.

That includes a higher proportion of the turbo-petrol SR model and eventually the first of Hyundai’s N Division products, the i30N.

The new flagship performance model will provide branding power for Hyundai and Australia is expected to be the first ‘export’ markets to see the car in showrooms. That could happen before the end of 2017.

Grant also flagged changes to Sonata and other models.

“This year we’ve got a substantial change to Sonata coming in May -- right behind i30,” he stated.

The change is likely to be more than a facelift. Indeed, Hyundai this week revealed it has a new eight-speed auto for front-drive installations. It’s our tip that the new Sonata will be the first to feature the new auto box.

Perhaps the biggest new model news after the i30N – and certainly one that is focused on volume – is the arrival of an all-new baby SUV for the Hyundai brand.

Australia is a pioneer right-hand drive market for that too.

“Later in the year [there will be more new model action] with an all-new baby SUV codenamed OS. We’re excited about it,” Grant continued.

“And as we turn into next year we’ve got new Veloster and new Santa Fe. Then somewhere in that mix we’ve got Ioniq. We haven't quite set on a date yet -- whether that's late this year or next year,” Grant revealed.

Hyundai Australia officials say privately the company wants to bring in all three variants of the electrified range – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure EV. But pricing and availability are still not finalised.

motoring.com.au understands that the brand has already committed to EV and hybrid versions. US market pricing for the former has just been announced at around $30,000.

Equivalent pricing in Australia could see a practical EV on the market at conventional hatch prices for the first time.