New wagon expands i30 range

2009 looks like a tough year for the motor industry and it's not a good time to be introducing a new model. If any car can beat the odds in the current climate though, it will be the Hyundai i30cw. The i30cw is the wagon version of the importer's highly regarded hatch, which sold over 10,000 units last year.

"The i30 hatch continues to win friends and was the fourth best selling small hatch in Australia in February," says Kevin McCann, Hyundai Australia's Director of Sales and Marketing. 

"The new i30cw Wagon adds extra rear seat leg room and cargo space and offers outstanding value from $20,890 RRP -- an increase of just $1500 over the hatch."

A little longer than the hatch -- but designed at the same Hyundai facility at Russelsheim in Germany -- the 'crossover wagon' (the 'cw' in i30cw) is different enough to pick up its own following in Australia.

It incorporates the attributes that have made the i30 a popular choice, including the five-star NCAP safety rating and the 1.6-litre diesel four-cylinder. Hyundai will also offer the small wagon with the same 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder engine available in the i30. Buyers can choose either engine coupled to the standard five-speed manual transmission or the option of a four-speed automatic.

The petrol engine develops 105kW of power at 6000rpm and 186Nm of torque at 4500rpm. In accordance with combined-cycle testing, the fuel consumption is 7.3L/100km for the manual variant with this engine or 7.7L/100km for the auto. CO2 emissions are 174g/km or 183g/km.

Fitted with the 1.6-litre diesel engine, the i30cw produces 85kW of power at 4000rpm and 255Nm of torque between the engine speeds of 1900 and 2750rpm. Combined-cycle fuel consumption is 4.9L/100km for the manual variant or 6.0L/100km with the automatic transmission.

In dimensions, the i30cw is 230mm longer than the hatch, with the majority of that added length -- 180mm -- in the rear overhang, and the wheelbase has been stretched by the remaining 50mm. The wagon is 40mm taller than the hatch, but that figure (1565mm) is inclusive of the standard roof rails, which are not fitted to the hatch.

Hyundai is marketing the i30cw in two different levels of trim, with a top-spec limited edition model available from launch. These grades are SX, SLX and the limited model the i30cw Sportswagon.

Pricing for the small wagon -- first unveiled here at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last year (more here) -- commences with the base model i30cw SX with 2.0-litre petrol engine and manual transmission at $20,890. Automatic transmission is a $2000 option, increasing the price to $22,890 for the i30cw SX petrol auto. $500 beyond that ($23,390) is enough for the diesel-engined i30cw CRDi manual, while another $2000 stretch ($25,390) will net the automatic transmission option with the diesel engine.

Only available with the automatic transmission as standard -- and no manual option -- the i30cw SLX is priced at $27,390 for the 2.0-litre petrol engine or $29,890 for the diesel.

Available from the car's launch, but for a limited time only, the i30cw Sportswagon is also an auto-only level of trim, but the only engine on offer is the 2.0-litre petrol powerplant. The price for this model is $29,990.

Hyundai's list of options is limited to three: metallic or mica paint for $320, the '5 star Protectz' pack (SX only) for $700 and the cruise control/front fog lamps pack (also SX only) for $400.

All models come equipped as standard with stability control, traction control, ABS/EBD, active headrests for the front seats, dual front airbags. SLX and Sportswagon variants also gain side-impact airbags for the front-seat occupants and side-curtain airbags to protect the heads of outboard-seat occupants in both rows. Hyundai bundles these additional safety features in the '5 star Protectz' pack for the SX grade. With the full gamut of safety equipment, the i30cw will achieve a five-star safety rating, as per ANCAP testing.

Standard comfort and convenience features for the i30cW SX include: 15-inch wheels; 12 Volt auxiliary power outlet in the rear; HALO (Hyundai's Active Locking Operation); electric folding side mirrors with integrated indicators; manual air conditioning with integrated dust and pollen filter; external temperature display; woven cloth seat fabric and a four-speaker MP3/WMA/CD audio system with four speakers, USB, Auxiliary and iPod connectivity.

Moving up to the SLX grade, the i30cw additionally features: 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres; front fog lights; body colour door handles; chrome interior door handles; climate control; cruise control; leather-bound steering wheel and transmission shift knob; aluminium decorative trim on dash, steering wheel and front floor console; mesh cloth seat fabric; driver's lumbar support; two-position cargo net; trip computer; three-function steering wheel audio controls and two additional (tweeter) speakers.

Over the SLX grade, the i30cw Sportswagon variant boasts: 17-inch alloy wheels with chrome inserts; 225/45 R17 tyres; auto-on/off headlights (with override); rain-sensing wipers; alloy sports pedals with rubber insert; leather seat trim, an in-dash six-disc CD audio system with externally amplified speakers and unique floor mats.

As for other Hyundai models, the i30cw is sold with a five-year warranty, irrespective of the distance travelled over that period.

Look out for our local launch review shortly.