Motoring News

In the shorter term, Hyundai is also bringing new style to the C-segment with a revised version of its i30.

Entering production in March, the new i30 incorporates a wide range of improvements in design, specification and competitiveness.

The i30 builds on the strengths of the current i30 range, to keep the model fresh and desirable. The new-look i30 does not stray far from the original design, and instead merely accentuates the car’s aesthetic qualities.

The redesigned radiator grille and air intakes bring the i30 in line with Hyundai’s new-style corporate identity, epitomised by the hexagonal frontal form. A reshaped, lower bumper and more angular fog light recesses continue the visual enhancement around the front end. The redesigned chrome garnish housing the Hyundai logo completes the more dynamic new look. The refresh carries on into the flanks, where extended side skirts and rear bumper add a sense of strength to the car’s contemporary profile.

To complete the upgrade, the new i30 comes with Hyundai’s ‘Triple5’ package, including an enhanced five-year warranty with five year’s roadside recovery.

Blue Drive takes i10, i20 and i30 under 100g/km

Hyundai has revealed its latest eco-focused Blue Drivevehicles. Four new cars have resulted from the company’s leading-edge program: the i10 blue, i20 blue, i30 blue and ix35 blue.

The eco-friendly variants incorporate improvements in emissions without compromising performance, reliability or driver satisfaction, making Blue Drive models a realistic solution for modern motorists.

All employ the latest energy-efficient powertrain technology. The new, downsized 1.0-litre Kappa petrol and 1.7-litre U2 diesel engines, for example, are coupled with high-performance, low-friction engine oil, to considerably reduce driveline friction. Dual continuously variable valve timing, improved combustion efficiency, gear ratio optimisation, and engine control optimisation to increase engine efficiency.

A noticeable change from the driver’s perspective is the application of a Hyundai-specific Idle Stop & Go (ISG) system. This cuts the engine when the car is stationary and restarts it when the clutch pedal is depressed.

With ISG, an alternator management system is added to maximise energy regeneration during braking and disconnecting the alternator when it’s not needed.

It’s not just the engines which are more efficient. To minimise drag, the Blue Drive models have improved aerodynamics and lower rolling resistance.

Under body panels have been installed on all models to smooth airflow under the car and certain models also feature reductions in brake-pad drag on the discs. Wheels are also fitted with low rolling resistance tyres, inflated to a higher pressure.

Through such innovations, engineers have succeeded in lowering the CO2 emission levels of the i10, i20, and i30 blue models to the sub-100g/km range.

The i10 blue, which goes into production at the end of 2010, employs a new and extremely efficient 1.0-litre version of the Kappa petrol engine, which produces 69PS at a lower rpm level of 6.200 rpm while generating 94 Nm of torque. By tweaking the aerodynamics and refinements to the powertrain, CO2 emissions in the i10 blue have been reduced to just 99g/km.

The i20 blue features the U2 1.4-litre diesel engine, designed and engineered at the R&D centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and produces 75PS at a lower rpm level of 4.000, while generating 220 Nm of torque. The power train is mated to the latest six- speed manual transmission. Producing just 98g/km of CO2 emissions, the i20 blue is scheduled to go into production in 2011.

The i30 blue uses the U2 1.6-litre engine, which produces 90PS at 4.000 rpm, while generating 240 Nm of torque. CO2 emissions of just 98g/km and 99 g/km for the hatchback and estate models, respectively, will save customers tax and fuel. 

Related posts: