Hyundai Imax 2010 News

The Hyundai iLoad van and iMax eight-seat shuttle get more fuel-efficient diesel engines and a new six-speed manual transmission.Petrol model prices remain unchanged, starting at $29,990 for the iLoad and $37,290 for the iMax. The diesels start at $34,990 for the iLoad and $39,990 for the iMax.The new engines are 2.5-litre CRDi turbo diesels with either a wastegate turbo or a variable geometry turbo mated to a new six-speed manual transmission.In iLoad configuration this delivers 8.0 L/100km, a 6 per cent reduction in fuel consumption; while the uprated 2.5-litre CRDi turbo diesel engine and five-speed automatic transmission combination achieve 8.8L/100km, an 8 per cent improvement. The iMax minibus uses a tad more.In the manual, the diesel engine's peak torque now starts earlier in the rev range from 1500 rpm through to 2500 rpm. Peak power is either 100kW (wastegate) or 125kW for the variable geometry turbo engine on automatic models. This unit generates some 441Nm of torque.Hyundai design and manufacture their own transmissions in-house.The new six-speed manual gearbox utilises multi-cone synchronisers for improved shift quality, and includes a button-operated reverse gear lock-out to provide further ease of operation. The short stroke of the transmission ensures a quick and accurate shift action to further enhance the economy of the driveline.The iLoad can handle up to two pallets with ease within its 4.3 cubic metre capacity, while offering seating for three or up to six in crew van configuration. For moving people plus their lifestyle accessories and luggage, iMax is a class leader. With flexible eight-seat capacity, plus plenty of stowage space behind the third row and a well thought out, comfortable and well-appointed interior including dual-zone air conditioning, to ensure occupants travel in space and comfort. 

After claiming top prize in the Carsguide Car of the Year award for 2008 the blue oval brand's family favourite has also been named as Best Family Car in the Australia's Best Cars awards for 2008.It is the only homegrown champion among the 12 winners in the annual contest judged by Australia's motoring clubs as a consumer guide to new-car showrooms.The winners claimed their crowns after a massive assessment of 280 individual contenders, who are judged against three basic measurements: value for money, design and on-road performance.The field was trimmed to 36 finalists across the 12 categories, and these were then extensively road tested to find the winners in each size and price class.The champion crew for 2008 runs from the Mazda2 Neo at the bottom, through the Falcon and Hyundai iMax people mover to the luxury Lexus GS450h hybrid and the luxury BMW X5 four-wheel drive.But it is the Falcon which has made the biggest impact, according to Best Cars' chief judge Ernest Litera."The winning 2008 Ford Falcon XT represents a concerted effort on product refinement; the model is not an all-new chassis and engine but more a refinement to the engine to produce better performance and fuel economy," says Litera."The ride and handling package has also improved significantly and feels more like the quality cars we would expect to come out of Europe, without compromising on space, touring ability and towing that Australians also often look for."Litera praises the general standard of the vehicles which made the shortlist in 2008."The finalists are a good set of cars - we are very pleased with the sorts of cars that have come on to the Australian market this year."The judges are seeing a steady improvement in the quality of vehicles on the Australian market - particularly in the area of safety equipment and crash test results alongside their on-road performance."They have to perform well in crash tests conducted by Australia's leading crash test and vehicle safety advocate, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, and the ANCAP results show vehicles are definitely safer today without compromising performance."But he says the choices, even exotics such as the Audi TT-S sports car and the heavyweight Land Rover Discovery four-wheel drive, are always assessed against the needs of potential owners."These are consumer awards where every score on every vehicle is made available to help buyers make informed purchasing decisions," says Litera.Full details of the Best Cars awards can be viewed at australiasbestcars.com.au or in the Australia's Best Cars magazine, available from newsagents. Australia's Best Cars 2008 WinnersBest Small Car: Mazda2 NeoBest Mid-Size Car under $28,000: Hyundai i30 SXBest Mid-Size Car over $28,000: Mazda6 ClassicBest Large Car: Ford FG Falcon XTBest People Mover: Hyundai iMaxBest Sports Car: BMW 135i Coupe SportBest Luxury Sports Car: Audi TT-S TFSI QuattroBest Prestige Car: Audi A4 TDIBest Luxury Car: Lexus GS450hBest Recreational 4WD: Volkswagen Tiguan TDIBest Luxury 4WD: BMW X5 3.0dBest All-Terrain 4WD: Land Rover Discovery 3SE TDV6