Wait continues for Euro-sourced Hyundai i30 hatch

MORE details of the incoming, Czech Republic-sourced Hyundai i30 hatch have emerged ahead of its expected arrival Down Under mid-year with buyers cooling their heels as the Nošovice plant ramps up to cater for additional production.

The delay follows the closure of the South Korean i30 hatch line late last year leading to supplies of the current i30 hatch all but running out and making specific choices difficult with the existing version.

HMCA (Hyundai Motor Company Australia) product planning and development manager Tim Rodgers told GoAutorecently, “There is no delay as such, but European sourcing does take a bit longer with shipping lines and such. So, there’s a bit of a gap in terms of the end of Korean production and the start of European production.”

“How will the strategy roll out in terms of the model line-up? We have a good idea but we’re not quite ready to confirm the full details just yet,” he said, but added that costs and complexities to sourcing of a car from Europe could lead to a higher price point for the updated i30 range.

The current line up starts at $24,000 excluding on-road costs.

Tapping Czech-made i30 hatches potentially opens the door to a wider range of variants and body styles that are currently available in Europe, including a fastback and a wagon, the latter highly unlikely given Aussie buyers’ preference for SUVs.

Hyundai has already said the new hatchback will be offered with a mild-hybrid powertrain, likely the 1.5T GDi four-cylinder with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology solely mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Information from Hyundai Europe’s introduction of the updated i30 family says it is “much bolder and has more high-tech with design refinements as well as upgraded connectivity and safety features”.

The Euro version across all body styles and specification is aimed at meeting a variety of customer tastes in a car that Hyundai says, “offers practicality and comfort with convenience features”.

Emphasis has been placed on the latest connectivity technologies and comfort features designed to make the i30 more competitive in its class and deliver more value to customers.

The i30 was launched way back in 2007, with the current car in its third generation the latest iteration heading Down Under featuring an updated exterior and interior and bolder design cues.

The familiar exterior is recognisable i30 the design upgrade ushering in a sportier aesthetic evident in the bolder grille meshes, triple horizontal lines in red decorate the leather and textile suede interior.

Once completely black, a dark metal accent has been added to the inserts of the front bumper side openings for the i30 N Line. The new side skirt comes with a dark metal insert. Available is a choice between a new 17-inch and 18-inch N Line alloy wheel design.

The rear of the hatchback (and wagon) sport chrome inserts while the rear bumper has a more angular look.

Standard across the board are LED head- and taillights and a new 16-inch alloy wheel design has been adopted for the base model.

The new i30 will be available in 12 exterior colours seven of which are new: Abyss Black Pearl, Ecotronic Grey Pearl, Ultimate Red Metallic, Jupiter Orange Metallic, Meta Blue Pearl, Cypress Green Pearl, joining Sailing Blue Pearl with returning colours Atlas White, Serenity White Pearl, Shimmering Silver Metallic, Shadow Grey, and Engine Red.

The inside has been finessed with a special paint applied to the crash pad to make it more pleasant and smoother to the touch and the central tunnel has been painted in glossy black.

On Euro-spec i30 hatch, the black interior can be paired with four modern seat trims: full cloth, cloth and leather, full leather, as well as textile suede and leather. Three new seat patterns have also been added with the full-cloth interior and cloth and leather interior, the backrest features a pattern consisting of horizontal lines.

Connectivity technologies provide buyers a more convenient in-car experience says Hyundai. New features include a standard 4.2-inch colour LCD cluster, three USB type-C charging ports in the front and rear, Over-the-Air (OTA) map updates, and an optional 10.25-inch fully digital cluster.

Adding to the car’s appeal is standard fitment of more Hyundai Smart Sense safety features - Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA). Additionally, we find Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) with optionally available Junction Turning for extra caution when turning left at junctions as a supplement to FCA.

Also optional in Europe is Highway Driving Assist (HDA) 1.5 that maintains the vehicle’s distance from another in the front, automatically adjusting the vehicle’s speed according to the limit and around curves and keeping it within the current lane of travel.

As already mentioned, to enhance fuel efficiency, buyers can opt for a powertrain with a 48V mild hybrid system the system supporting the i30’s combustion engine with electric power during various stages of driving, such as starting, accelerating, and recuperating.