Thursday, September 08, 2016

Hyundai has introduced the all-new i30


The i30 is a compact, Golf-sized hatchback sold as the Elantra GT in the United States. Designed entirely in Europe, the next-gen model ushers in Hyundai's new design language with a hexagonal grille framed by thick chrome-look trim, and a set of swept-back headlights. It's also more spacious than the current model thanks to a slightly longer wheelbase. 

The cabin represents a huge leap forward in terms of design. It's more modern-looking than before and more high-tech, too. An eight-inch touch screen that pops out from the dashboard runs the infotainment system, and it's compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

In Europe, the i30 will be offered with a wide palette of gasoline- and diesel-burning engines. The gasoline-burning units include a naturally-aspirated 1.4-liter four rated at 100 horsepower, a 1.0-liter turbo three that develops 120 horses, and 140-horsepower 1.4-liter turbo four. For buyers who prefer driving a turbodiesel, Hyundai offers a 1.6-liter four-cylinder available with either 95, 110, or 136 horsepower. 

All engines come standard with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is offered at an extra cost on the 140-horsepower gasoline engine and the top two oil-burners. Clearly, the European market is gradually moving towards automatic transmissions. 

We'll be on-location in the French capital later this month to bring you live images of the next-gen Hyundai i30. Hyundai will show the Euro-spec model in Paris, and we'll likely have to wait until the Los Angeles Auto Show to see the new U.S.-spec Elantra GT 

What's next? 
The i30 will spawn Hyundai's first full-blown hot hatch. Developed by the company's newly-formed N sub-brand, the i30 N will boast a 2.0-liter turbo four tuned to pump out about 255 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission will come standard, and a dual-clutch automatic gearbox will be offered at an extra cost a little later in the production run. 

The i30 N will likely make the trip across the Atlantic with a different name, though it won't debut until next year at the earliest.


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