Frankfurt show: Hyundai i10 on Aussie radar

HYUNDAI staged the world of the new i10 at the Frankfurt motor show this week, just down the road from where it was designed, but its Australian future remains up in the air.

The new-generation model joins the strong A-segment in Europe, where the old version made some big inroads. Hyundai is claiming class-leading value and cost of ownership.

According to Hyundai vice president and COO of Europe Alan Rushforth, the i10 sets “new standard” in the A-segment, with better refinement and cabin space, and more standard features, than Volkswagen’s Up.

Highlights include 2-litre bottle holders in the back, standard all-round power windows, six airbags, and even LED headlights, climate control, a heated steering wheel and heated seats on higher-spec versions.

The i10 is said to be 2dB quieter than an Up at idle, and 6dB quieter than some other, less refined competition.

“It shows that people should own an A-segment car because they want to, not because they have to. It’s a truly desirable option,” said Mr Rushforth at a pre-show reveal. “It has craftsmanship far above the Volkswagen Up.” It’s no sure thing to come to Australia, however. Hyundai’s local arm is actively evaluating the business case for a sub-i20 mini-car priced well below $15k, as the i10 would be. Rivals would include the Up, Nissan Micra, Suzuki Alto and Mitsubishi Mirage.

Hyundai sold 450,000 units of the old, first-generation i10, and reckons it can sell 74,000 in the first year alone thank to a stabilisation in Europe. Hyundai wants to grow from 3.4 to 5.0 per cent market share across the continent, and the Turkish-made i10 is a cornerstone to this plan.

Mr Rushforth also revealed plans for 22 new products and derivatives due to hit the market inside four years as part of the company’s Product Momentum 2017 strategy.

As we reported earlier in the week, another of these models is expected to be a small SUV to fight the Ford EcoSport. Also due late next year is a new i20, likely to appear at the Paris show in September 2014, and potentially some WRC inspired sporty derivatives.

At 3665 mm, this new i10 i10 is 80mm longer than its predecessor, and one of the longest cars in the segment. It also goes from being the narrowest model in the A-segment to the widest at 1660mm (+65mm).

The 40mm lower roofline, now measuring 1500mm, gives the car a more sporting stance than the old one. Hyundai claims segment-best boot space of 252 litres with rear seats in place – up 27 litres - and 1046 litres with rear seats folded.

Front seat occupants get 40mm more legroom, 16mm additional shoulder room and 1008mm of headroom.

Powertrains are limited to a 48kW at 5500rpm and 94Nm at 3500rpm 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine, which will be available as an LPG version in Europe, and a 64kW at 6000rpm and 120Nm from 4000rpm 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol.

Five speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions are offered.