Supermini Getz ready for action

This Hyundai has got its sights on the success of the Vauxhall Corsa. Our spies have captured the Korean firm’s new supermini. Called the i20, it will replace the Getz when it hits the UK late next year.

We snapped the barely disguised production model out testing on the open road, and these shots show exactly what’s in store.

There are obvious similarities with the bigger i30 family car at the front, as the i20’s grille features a single horizontal bar. The newcomer also has large Corsa-style headlights. These define the shape of the lower air intake, while circular foglamps create a sporty look. At the back, there’s an upright tailgate, so buyers can expect plenty of room for luggage.

The new model is bigger than the outgoing Getz, too, so it should provide more cabin space. There will be high-quality trim inside and a more flexible seating layout, as Hyundai seeks to tempt buyers away from mainstream rivals such as the Honda Jazz and Ford Fiesta.

A new 1.2-litre petrol engine will spearhead the line-up, while a revised version of the firm’s existing 1.4 unit will also be offered. Diesel power will come from the current 1.5-litre CRTD. In the Getz, this unit emits 118g/km of CO2, which means the supermini is in band B for road tax.

The i20 will debut at the Paris Motor Show next September, and the first five-door models should arrive in dealers before the end of 2008.

A sportier-looking three-door variant is set to appear soon after, at the beginning of 2009. While prices remain secret for now, the i20 is expected to be slightly more expensive than the Getz to reflect its increased size and improved interior quality.