Hyundai I30 2007 News

A successful Nurburgring 24 hour trial and new RM16 concept point the way to possible 2017 launch of hot Hyundai N brand.

One million things on four wheels were sold for the first time in a calendar year during 2007, proving that, despite the worst efforts of the RTA

The NRMA Insurance reversing visibility index shows 12 vehicles, including the Toyota Corolla and Holden Commodore, fail to receive any stars in testing.The test, established because of the deaths of 17 children killed by reversing cars in driveways, measures how well a driver can see out of the back of the vehicle.Of the 12 vehicles with a zero rating, five fit into the small-to-medium segment.The result has prompted the NRMA to call on manufacturers to consider installing reversing camera technology in all cars, not just bigger vehicles.“Without a camera, blind space can range from 3m to 15m,” NRMA Insurance road safety manager Pam Leicester said.“That's a large range for children to be hidden from a driver's view.” With an average of one child run over in their own driveway every week, Ms Leicester said it was time to start focusing on improving visibility in all models.“There has been a focus on four-wheel-drives and reversing but as our results show, that's an issue for all types of vehicles right down to small cars,” Ms Leicester said.“This is a real concern because many of these vehicles have hazardous reversing blind areas, usually caused by high rear window lines and boots.”Vehicles that received a zero rating included the Holden Commodore (Epica and Viva), the Hyundai i30, Mitsubishi's Lancer and 380, Toyota's Corolla, Prado and RAV4, the Honda Civic and the Odyssey, as well as the Hummer H3.Overall, however, the results have improved from last year with more manufacturers adopting reversing cameras.This is especially the case in the four-wheel-drive and luxury segments. Only five vehicles offered reversing cameras either standard or as an option last year.The technology was available on 15 vehicles this year. They gained either a 4 1/2 or 5-star rating.Ms Leicester said they were particularly impressed with the new Toyota Kluger, which has a reversing camera as standard on all models.The top performers given a five-star rating were the BMW X5, Ford Territory, Honda Legend, Lexus GS430, IS250 and LS460, and the Toyota Kluger; all offering a camera as standard or as an option.“We encourage all manufacturers to start thinking about putting reverse cameras in their vehicles,” Ms Leicester said.“At the time of manufacture, it's a very small cost.”Ms Leicester said after-market reversing cameras also could improve visibility and were available for between $200 and $300. How they rated NRMA insurance reversing visibility indexBest: BMW x5, Ford Territory, Honda, Legend, Lexus GS430, Lexus IS250, Lexus LS460, Toyota KlugerWorst: Holden Commodore, Honda Civic, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai i30, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Prado, Toyota Corolla 

It has taken the top honour in carsguide's Car of the Year awards, proved its claims as a frugal performer in the production-class category of the Panasonic World Solar Challenge and is putting smiles on the faces of Hyundai's Australian bosses. But could I live with an i30 in the garage? And, more to the point, which model would I choose; petrol or diesel? Over two weeks, the top-spec, petrol-fuelled i30 SR and the lowest specification diesel (SX) were in my drive. The petrol SR, with its 17in alloy wheels, rear spoiler and side skirts, really looks the goods and is worth the $28,490 (with auto option) asking price. The two-litre in-line four-cylinder petrol power plant produces 105kW of power and 186Nm of torque. Power is put to the road through the front wheels and the optional four-speed automatic transmission. While looking the goods; along with the at-hand steering-wheel-mounted controls for the stereo and easy iPod connectivity; the engine has just enough puff to leave you wanting more for an entertaining, zippy drive. Where that zip is lacking with the petrol version, the 1.6-litre CRDi (diesel), from $21,490, makes amends. While the diesel sports 15in steel wheels only and is missing the rear spoiler and side skirts - toning down its looks; the engine is punchy and pushes this model along well for a fun drive. An additional $1790 will buy the Protectz safety pack, which brings the two models into line with a full complement of ESP and additional side and curtain airbags, and extra security. The SX diesel - the SLX model variant of which won the carsguide Car of the Year Award for Hyundai; also drives through a five-speed manual transmission until next year. The luxury of steering-wheel-mounted controls is missing. But here's an engine; which is capable of producing 85kW of power and a very impressive 255Nm of torque. The Euro styling that is so evident in this design does get it noticed; not bad for a sub-$22,000 vehicle. But it is at the fuel pump that you will find the biggest benefits of this Hyundai. The petrol engine has a claimed combined fuel cycle figure of 7.6 litres/100km for the auto transmission (7.2 litres/100km for manual) and the diesel uses fuel at a frugal 4.7 litres/100km (claimed). However, during the run from Darwin to Adelaide as part of the Solar Challenge, the little diesel sipped fuel at a rate of just 3.3 litres/100km. So, after a week in both models, under the same driving conditions around Adelaide, the time had come to make a choice; the flashy petrol or the base-model diesel. Based on looks alone, the SR petrol version took line honours, but the performance and economy gong went to the diesel. For the major title - the car I would have in my driveway if I had to make that choice; the prize has to go to the diesel Hyundai i30 SX. I'd dig a little bit deeper in the pocket to get the Protectz pack fitted; and possibly go to the SLX version; which gets 16in alloys and some additional interior kit to align the safety standards and features with the outstanding fuel consumption. Either way, Hyundai has hit a winner in the small-car segment with the i30. And there are sure to be some more broadening smiles on the faces of those bosses when they get the auto-transmission diesel models next year, introducing a whole new generation to diesel passenger cars.  

Hyundai set the pattern for compact cars with its Excel in the 1990s, including its landmark $13,990 driveaway deals, and has a new European baby with the potential to repeat that program for as littl

The carsguide car of the year 2008 finalists have been announced.

Good-looking, comfortable, well-trimmed and very well made, but the stand-out feature of the little Hyundai is the engine.

Essentially a five-door version of the Elantra, the stylish i30 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 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,” Yeo says. The i30 was styled in Germany and benchmarked against the best Euro small hatches, including Ford Focus, Opel Astra and VW Golf. In Australia it is expected to attract buyers shopping the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3. The car has been localised for Australia with bespoke damper settings, spring rates and steering tune after severe criticism of the original Elantra. The i30 will be available in three trim levels, with a 2.0-litre petrol (105kW and 186Nm) and a 1.6-litre commonrail diesel (85kW and 255Nm) available from launch. A five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic are offered on the petrol engine. 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 and 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 has standard 16-inch alloys with wider 205/55 rubber, foglamps, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls (on petrol models only), automatic climate control, trip computer, two additional speakers and 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 with soft-touch dash and door trims lifting the feel of the interior. Styling is excellent with a rich feel from the curved surfaces. Well-thought-out controls placement offers both comfort and functionality. And the i30 utilises the proven Euro-hatch formula of long wheelbase, wide wheel stance and short, high rear overhang, maximising interior depth. That keeps the overall car short for easy city use while maximising interior and boot depth. At 4245mm the i30 is 260mm shorter and 10mm narrower and lower than the Elantra sedan but retains the same 2650mm wheelbase. The long wheelbase and internal width, combined with clever interior packaging; there are no fewer than 20 storage compartments around the car; the cabin's  front and rear legroom and headroom is well above the class average.  

Getting value for money and being able to keep their new car; and new-found freedom; on the road has proved to be the biggest factors for first time car buyers.