GD Series II

HYUNDAI’S bestselling i30 small car has undergone a midlife makeover, gaining a new-look front end, more equipment, technology advances, cleaner engines, and broader SR performance options.

The old mid-range Elite has been replaced by the Active X, a cheaper SR steps in, and a reverse camera is fitted as standard.

Additionally, the 1.6 CRDi diesel gains Euro-V emissions certification, ditching the old six-speed auto that continues in the 1.8 and 2.0 petrol models, for a seven-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission. This model also sees torque rise by 40Nm over the continuing six-speed manual diesel version in the process.

The slow-selling GD three-door hatch version dropped during 2014 won’t return, but the Touring wagon that is also made alongside it in the Czech Republic rather than South Korea is back, adopting the Series II upgrades.

In July 2016 Hyundai updated the sporty SR variant, bringing in a host of detail changes but leaving the mechanical side untouched, with both models retaining the 2.0-litre 124kW/201Nm four-cylinder unit.