Number up for Hyundai baby

By Jack Carfrae

26th September 2008

Hyundai is taking on the big boys with its new i20! The Korean firm unveiled the Getz replacement at an exclusive pre-Paris Motor Show preview at its European headquarters
in Offenbach, Germany.
Top brass at Hyundai revealed that the i20 will be available in UK showrooms on 15 January in five-door form, with a three-door variant following in April.
The company has worked hard to shed its cheap and cheerful image, and has kitted out the Indian-built i20 with a top-quality interior and a choice of Classic, Comfort and Style trims. All come with air conditioning, six airbags, keyless entry and MP3 compatibility as standard. What’s more, build quality, materials and space have all been vastly improved.
A choice of six powertrains will be offered in the UK: 77bhp 1.2 and 99bhp 1.4-litre petrol units, plus a 1.4-litre turbodiesel in 74bhp and 89bhp forms. A 1.6-litre oil-burner with 126bhp is expected to appear later.
Power will be sent through a five-speed manual box on most models, with the exception of the flagship 1.6 diesel, which gets a six-ratio unit. A four-speed auto will also be available with 1.4-litre petrol engines.
Even though demand for diesel is strong across Europe, Hyundai has predicted that
the 1.2-litre petrol engine will account for the bulk of i20 sales, which it expects to be around 15,000 units annually.

Hyundai also previewed its forthcoming eco-friendly Blue range with a hybrid Santa Fe SUV and the i20 Blue. The latter is fitted with a tweaked 1.4-litre 89bhp CRDi diesel delivering 99g/km of CO2. That means it’s road tax-free under current UK regulations. Longer gearing and improved aerodynamics help minimise emissions and boost economy.

At the same time, the firm has taken the wraps off its Genesis luxury car. The rear-wheel-drive model comes as a saloon or coupé, and has near-50:50 weight distribution. Engine options comprise 3.3 or 3.8-litre V6s, or a 4.6-litre V 8 – although Hyundai currently has no plans to sell it in Europe.