Hyundai's Euro-styled i30 hatch has hit the ground running in Australia, handicapped only by its own popularity in other world markets.
Essentially the i30 is a five-door version of the Elantra, the stylish hatch is the key to Hyundai Australia realising a 2007 sales target of 50,000 new cars.
It is priced from a particularly sharp $18,990. However, almost before it is in showrooms the company is conceding that supply is an issue.
“We have worked very hard to get this car and have succeeded to the extent that we are the only market in the world outside Western Europe and Korea to have it available,” Hyundai Australia's chief executive Steve Yeo says. “However, we are only going to be able to get about 2500 cars before the end of the year.”
Yeo says the supply constraints will not be solved in the short term as production capacity at the Korean plant is already running at the limit.
“There is a new plant being built in the Czech Republic that will increase production but it will not be operating until about 2009 ... until then we will have to make do,” Yeo says.
The i30; the first of a new international nomenclature for the Hyundai brand was styled at Hyundai's European design and technical centre in Russelsheim, Germany, and benchmarked against the best of the Euro small hatches, including Ford Focus and VW Golf.
In Australia the expectation is that the i30 will also attract interest from buyers shopping the leading Japanese small hatches in Toyota Corolla and Mazda3. The car has been 'localised' for Australia with bespoke damper settings, spring rates and steering tune following severe criticism of the original Elantra.
“We took serious notice of the comments on the Elantra and this time have spent a lot of time and effort testing in Australian conditions and adjusting the tuning... especially for the local market,” Yeo says.
The i30 will be available in three trim levels, with both a 2.0-litre petrol (105kW and 186Nm) and 1.6-litre common rail diesel (85kW and 255Nm) available from launch. A five-speed manual or four-speed automatic is offered on the petrol engine; while the diesel comes with a five-speed manual and will add the automatic option around December.
Pricing starts with the SX petrol manual starting at $18,990 with a $2000 premium for the automatic.
The base diesel model is $21,490. The mid-range SLX manual is $23,490 in petrol and $25,990 for the diesel, while the range-topping SR comes in petrol only at $26,490 for the manual.
Equipment levels in the cars are generally high with standard fare in the SX including ABS, dual front airbags, anti-whiplash front headrests, power windows and heated exterior mirrors, remote central locking, reach and rake adjustable steering wheel.
There is also a height adjustable driver's seat, air conditioning with pollen filter, integrated iPod and USB connections, four-speaker stereo and 15-inch steel wheels. Neither the base nor the mid-range models offer standard stability control but it is available as part of a Protectz pack at $1790 for the SX (ESP, side and curtain airbags) or $990 for the SLX, which already has the extra airbags.
The SLX also gains over the SX in standard 16-inch alloys with wider 205/55 rubber, fog lamps, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls (on petrol models only), automatic climate control, trip computer, two additional speakers, leather-trimmed wheel and gear lever.
The top of the range petrol-only SR offers ESP and traction control as standard, 17-inch bright finished alloys with 225/45 rubber, body kit of side skirts and rear spoiler, premium radio with in-dash six-stacker CD and leather-trimmed seat bolsters.
Cabin materials are of a good standard and styling is excellent.
And the i30 utilises the Euro-hatch formula of long wheelbase, wide wheel stance and short, high rear overhang, maximising interior depth.
Snapshot
Hyundai i30
Price: from $18,990 to $28,490.
Engine: 2.0L/4-cylinder petrol, 105kW/186Nm; 1.6L/4-cylinder CRDi diesel, 85kW/255Nm.
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic; front- wheel-drive.
Economy: 7.2L/100km (petrol), 4.7L/100km (diesel).
