The Hyundai i30 wagon has for the first time scored an Australian suspension tune, coinciding with a similar retune of the i30 hatchback, both of which are on-sale now.
It is the first time Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) has been permitted to re-tune the i30 wagon, which differs from its hatchback sibling by utilising a more sophisticated independent rear suspension rather than a simpler, and harder-to-tune torsion beam.
The i30 wagon is built in the Czech Republic, and was first imported here earlier this year using a stock European suspension tune. Conversely, the hatchback hails from Korea and included an Australian suspension tune since its launch in 2011.
Retuning the i30 wagon marks the first time HMCA has retuned a European suspension setting, but it will soon be followed by the ix35 Series II SE, which launches next week and also cops local chassis tweaking.
Hyundai product planning manager Andrew Tuitahi said the local arm hoped to be able to retune the i30 wagon from the beginning, with the aim to improving body control without affecting the ride quality.
“It [the wagon] has got lovely, supple ride, so it was about keeping that, but just giving it some [extra] control,” the program manager commented.
CarAdvice tests revealed that the i30 wagon was more comfortable around town than its hatchback sibling, but we found with little compromise to the car’s rough road control.
There are no price changes to accompany the suspension changes, with the Hyundai i30 hatch still available in Active, Elite and Premium grades with a choice of 1.8-litre four cylinder petrol or 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine, with six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
The i30 wagon shares its diesel engine with the hatch, but gets a 1.6-litre four cylinder petrol engine and is available only in Elite and Premium grades.
The suspension of the i30 SE three-door remains unchanged.
