Geneva show: Hyundai i30 wagon exposed

HYUNDAI has ripped the covers off the big-booted version of its new-generation i30 small car, but the South Korean-built wagon has already been denied entry to Australia due to the insatiable local appetite for SUVs over passenger cars.

Set for a public debut at next month’s Geneva motor show, the i30 wagon will, as expected, wear the same front end as its hatchback sibling, sporting full-LED headlights, vertical daytime running lights and Hyundai’s new trapezoid front grille.

The wagon also shares the hatchback’s overall width (1795mm) and wheelbase (2650mm), but at 4585mm in length, the i30 wagon is 245mm longer to accommodate the larger rear cargo area.

Boot space is measured at 602 litres with the rear seats up, but storage swells to a capacious 1650L with the second row folded down, “one of the biggest boots in the segment”, according to Hyundai.

The South Korean car-maker has also loaded the i30 wagon with all the latest safety technology, including a three-stage autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system which can warn drivers visually and audibly, apply partial braking if an imminent collision is suspected, and employ full braking force if an accident is unavoidable.

The new load-lugger also boasts adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, reversing camera and automatic high-beam deactivation technology.

Inside, the i30 wagon customers will be treated to a 5.0-inch colour touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity and other audio inputs, but buyers can also opt for an upgraded 8.0-inch colour touchscreen with sat-nav, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, and wireless smartphone charging facilities.

A choice between four powertrains – three petrol and one diesel – is on offer from Hyundai, with fuel consumption figures ranging from 3.6 litres per 100km to 5.8L/100km.

As reported earlier this week, Hyundai Motor Company Australia public relations manager Guido Schenken scuttled ideas of a local i30 wagon rebirth after the body style was dropped in June, 2016.

“It’s still highly unlikely that we’ll take the car,” he said. “The car is only built in Europe and it’s quite a small market for that vehicle. We think our small SUV, which is coming this year, will be a lot more relevant for this market.”

However, local i30 fans can still expect the hatchback version to land around the second quarter of this year with similar technological advancements and styling.