More tech, safety and hybrid option for Hyundai i30

HYUNDAI Motor Company (HMC) has revealed the new facelifted i30 ahead of its global debut at the Geneva motor show, with the ever-popular small car set to gain several new hybrid powertrains as well as an expansion of the N-Line range, although questions marks loom over local availability.

Exact Aussie specification – including engines and pricing – are yet to be revealed by Hyundai, but the headline news here is the addition of three new hybrid powertrains to the overseas line-up, all based around a newly developed 48V mild system.

Paired with either a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol, turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol or 1.6-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, Hyundai says the new mild set-up was developed purely to improve fuel efficiency with the little 1.0-litre hybrid unit developing exactly the same power and torque as the non-hybrid version (88kW/172Nm).

Just how much of an efficiency increase the hybrid setups bring remains yet to be seen, as does the Australian availability with HMCA reluctant to reveal its interest in any of the new options.

Away from electrification, the Korean giant has also given its traditional powerplants a refresh, including a new entry-level 81kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

The current Australian line-up offers a choice of just three engines, those being a petrol 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol and a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder.

As with any facelift, the i30 has been treated to a styling makeover to now look more focused and aggressive thanks to narrower headlights and V-shaped LED running lights combining to create a frowning look while the grille has been widened at the top and given a new 3D pattern.

Similar changes have been made at the rear where a more aerodynamic rear bumper has been fitted below reshaped LED taillight clusters.

The sporty N-Line variants (soon to be available in hatch, liftback and wagon form overseas) also scores a similar styling upgrade albeit with bigger front intakes and smaller radiator grill adorned with black mesh and a more aggressive rear diffuser.

Inside there will be a choice of four interior trim colours – black, pewter grey, charcoal grey or ebony brown – while infotainment and navigation functions can be accessed via a new 10.25-inch touchscreen on the dash, complementing the new 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster.

Wireless smartphone charging has been added as standard as will wireless Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto smart phone mirroring and Bluelink connectivity.

Through the Bluelink app, new i30 owners will be able to remotely lock the car, locate it in busy or unfamiliar settings and be kept up to date with ongoing maintenance data like tyre pressures.

Active safety features will also take a step up on the facelift with Hyundai updating its Smartsense advanced safety package to now include lane following assist, rear collision-avoidance assist and leading vehicle departure alert.

The existing blind spot detection and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist have each been upgraded while front collision-avoidance assistance has been updated to now detect cyclists.

Driver attention warning, high beam assist, intelligent speed limit warning and lane keep assist systems are all still included as standard.

HMCA once again declined to comment when asked if there was any interest in offering either the wagon or liftback models locally as well as the established hatchback, the only body style offered here other than the niche i30 Fastback N.

According to HMCA senior manager for PR, sponsorship and events Guido Schenken, the facelifted i30 is due to arrive in Australia in the second half of this year, followed by the hotly anticipated dual-clutch version of the hi-po i30 Fastback N.