The all-new Hyundai i10 has been revealed ahead of its debut at next month’s Fankfurt motor show, highlighting sharp styling, new features and a new powerplant.
Originally previewed by the 100mm-longer Grand i10 (pictured below) at an event in Andhra Pradesh, India, the shorter European-spec Hyundai i10 is based on new platform and measures 80mm longer, 65mm wider and 50mm lower than its predecessor. It also rides on a 5mm-longer wheelbase.
Despite the stretched Grand i10 being designed to sit between the standard i10 and the larger i20 in the Indian market, both it and the European version share Hyundai’s new family face. This results in a narrow upper grille flanked by angular headlights and a larger hexagonal central air intake.
The Grand i10 is available with a choice of two engines – an all-new 1.1-litre three-cylinder diesel and the 1.2-litre Kappa four-cylinder petrol used in the European-spec i20. Both are available with manual and automatic transmissions.
The longer wheelbase model also gains 14-inch wheels, a chilled glove box, auto-folding mirrors with in-built indicators, rear parking sensors, a higher spec audio system and rear passenger air vents.
In Europe, the car is set to include stability control and front curtain airbags as standard, while offering automatic climate control, a heated leather steering wheel and cruise control with speed limiter as options. Developed at Hyundai’s technical centre in Russelsheim, Germany, the new i10 also gains a larger 252-litre boot capacity – up 10 per cent on the outgoing model.
Hyundai Australia public relations manager Guido Schenken told CaAdvice, the new i10 – a model that has never been sold locally – is in the early stages of review.
“We always review new product offerings for potential opportunities in the Australian market,” Schenken said.
“While introducing a new entry-level car is appealing, all products have to have a sound business plan behind them.”
The Hyundai i10 is due to start production at the Korean brand’s Izmit factory in Turkey in September.
The 2013 Frankfurt motor show begins on September 10.
