Hyundai tweaks i40 Tourer

HYUNDAI Australia has cut up to $500 from the price of all i40 Tourer variants while adding extra features that, as expected, bring them up to speed with the better-equipped sedan body style released in June this year.

All variants of the German-designed load-lugger – launched here eight months before the sedan in October 2011 – now get an eight-sensor park assist system, while the mid-range Elite and flagship Premium versions get a new seven-inch touch-screen with satellite navigation and reversing camera.

The new navigation system is the same as the version fitted to the sedan from launch and includes three years of complimentary map updates, SUNA live traffic information and a comprehensive point-of-interest database.

The in-dash rear-view camera replaces the previous unit that was mounted in the interior mirror, while the multimedia system also incorporates the existing Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.

All Tourers now get a standard rear cargo blind and safety net, while the mid-range Elite also gets leather/leatherette seats previously only fitted to the Premium.

In turn, the top-spec Premium gains an electric-powered tailgate that closes at the push of a button.

A new Phantom Black colour is also available across all variants.

As before, all models are offered with either a 130kW/213Nm 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engine or a 100kW/330Nm 1.7-litre turbo-diesel, matched to six-speed manual or automatic transmissions (Elite and Premium are auto-only).

All petrol-powered Touring variants – Active, Elite and Premium – are now $500 cheaper than before while the petrol sedan is unchanged, narrowing the price difference to $2000.

Conversely, diesel versions are now $100 more expensive across the board, although the difference between the oil-burning Tourer and sedan is $2000, matching the petrol.

Hyundai sold 1875 i40 sedan and wagons to the end of October, placing it well behind key rivals like the Honda Accord Euro (5591), Mazda6 (5374), Ford Mondeo (4339), Volkswagen Passat (3965), Subaru Liberty (3678) and even its slightly larger i45 stablemate (3157).

Hyundai i40 Tourer and Sedan pricing*

i40 Sedan
Active 2.0L petrol GDI	$29,990
Active 2.0L petrol GDI (a)	$31,990
Active 1.7L diesel CRDi	$32,590
Active 1.7L diesel CRDi (a)	$34,590
Elite 2.0L petrol GDI (a)	$36,990
Elite 1.7L diesel CRDi (a)	$39,590
Premium 2.0L petrol GDI (a)	$41,990
Premium 1.7L diesel CRDi (a)	$44,590
i40 Tourer
Active 2.0L petrol GDI	$31,990
Active 2.0L petrol GDI (a)	$33,990
Active 1.7L diesel CRDi	$34,590
Active 1.7L diesel CRDi (a)	$36,590
Elite 2.0L petrol GDI (a)	$38,990
Elite 1.7L diesel CRDi (a)	$41,590
Premium 2.0L petrol GDI (a)	$43,990
Premium 1.7L diesel CRDi (a)	$46,590

*Plus on-road costs