Hyundai teases i20 Coupe

HYUNDAI has previewed the three-door version of its next-generation i20 hatch, with the release of a sketch showing a 'coupe' with a heavily remodeled rear-end that sets it apart from its recently revealed five-door sibling.

Designed by Hyundai's German styling centre, the i20 Coupe differs from early sketches of the now revealed five-door, with a flatter rear window rake, deep side scallops, fatter rear bumper, sharpened tail-lights and a spoiler.

The image could herald a future i20 variant with stand-alone styling rather than a mild tweak of the recently unveiled five-door version, and Hyundai describes the images as an indication of “how the company’s model range will grow beyond the recently revealed five-door version”.

While Hyundai has named the sporty vehicle a Coupe, it is more likely the mysterious vehicle will be a three-door version of the already seen i20 five-door hatchback.

A three door is currently available here alongside two five-door variants, and with the new five-door just months away, a replacement for the entry-level i20 is highly likely.

Hyundai Australia Public Relations General Manager Bill Thomas told GoAuto that if the i20 Coupe came to Down Under it would be a strong contender in the light three-door segment against rivals like the Kia Rio and Toyota Yaris.

“It's a stylish car and it's likely to be class leading in terms of interior quality and materials and also refinement, just in the same way that i10 seems to be compared well with its rivals in Europe,” he said.

“It looks like this car is also going to be pretty competitive.”The five-door i20 officially debuts at the Paris motor show next month and may be accompanied by another glimpse of the Coupe concept.