All-new Hyundai i20 ...…the turbo-engine and ‘sensuous sportiness’ identity

 

The all-new Hyundai i20 has arrived with an appealing design inspired by Hyundai’s new “Sensuous Sportiness” design identity, a new engine in the range and a cabin that is roomier and sports a sculptured and appealing look.

The all-new i20 – which is introduced with two specification levels, Motion and Fluid – is the third generation of Hyundai’s B-segment model which was first launched globally in 2008, and in 2009 in South Africa.

As one of the company’s most successful models, the i20 stands for quality, reliability and practicality. In addition to these core pillars, the all-new i20 introduces a completely new, dynamic style.

Since the launch of the first-generation i20 in South Africa in 2009, the local distributor of the Hyundai brand has sold 106 712 units in the country. It has also proven to be one of many extremely reliable models in the Hyundai range, with an exceptionally low warranty burn rate of only R32 per unit per month.

“We are launching the all-new i20 with the confidence that a five-door hatchback has a definite slot in the local car market – the sales figures and customer’s preferences give credence to our faith in the product. It is also a strong contender in the market for rental cars,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

“While the outgoing i20 was a very popular and successful model in our range, we expect the new model with its fresh, sporty styling and the new 1-litre turbo engine to appeal to an even wider audience,” said Anderson.

The all-new i20 features Hyundai’s “Sensuous Sportiness” design identity. It is characterised by the harmony between four fundamental elements: proportion, architecture, styling and technology. The purpose of this design direction is to create emotional value and to give Hyundai’s vehicles a distinctive new look. The Sensuous Sportiness design provides the all-new i20 with a stylish character that is emphasised by its dynamic-looking front and rear bumpers, as well as its new radiator grille.

At the side, a bold side character line and unique C-pillar design create an appealing look. Meanwhile, the interior space achieves an airy feeling inside the cockpit, while appearing sculptured and appealing. One design highlight is the horizontal blades that cover the high and prominent dashboard. Dynamic proportions also improve roominess and visibility.

The all-new i20’s dynamic proportions offer increased width and an enlarged wheelbase compared to the previous generation, as well as increased seating space for rear passengers.

The new i20 range, driven through the front wheels, features a new engine: A turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol power plant that has proven itself in other local Hyundai models, and now propels the i20 with a maximum power output of 90 kW. It is linked to either a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) or a 6-speed manual transmission.

Two naturally aspirated petrol engines – the 1.2 Kappa petrol engine, linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox, and the 1.4 MPi, matched to a 6-speed automatic transmission – are used in the other variants in the i20 range.

Exterior design

Compared to its predecessor, the all-new i20’s proportions have been made more dynamic, while at the same time ensuring it is practical for navigating around busy urban areas. Its visual stance is improved by a wider body (+41 mm) and increased length (+10 mm), while the wheelbase has also been increased by 10 mm. Ground clearance is 170 mm – an increase of 20 mm compared to the previous model.

“The all-new i20 features our new Sensuous Sportiness design identity. We enhanced the proportions to create a dynamic and emotional design. As a result, the all-new i20 is a car that speaks to your senses,” says Thomas Bürkle, chief designer at the Hyundai Motor Company’s Design Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

The all-new i20’s stylish character is emphasised with its dynamic-looking front and rear bumpers, as well as its new radiator grille. The side-view offers energetic proportions and a wedge style, which are amplified through a bold side character line and unique C-pillar design. Meanwhile, the redesigned unique lighting signature at the side connects seamlessly with the rear, emphasising the all-new i20’s width and stance.

Together, these exterior features illustrate its modernity, while delivering a premium feeling for drivers. The exterior looks are further augmented by newly designed 16-inch alloy wheels for the Fluid derivatives. The Motion derivatives come with 15-inch steel wheels and attractive silver covers.

With a range of interior enhancements, customers can enjoy quality time inside their new i20. Hyundai’s designers sought innovative aesthetic and technical solutions to convey its stylish proportions, while creating a fresh and appealing look.

The aerodynamic profile of the all-new i20, with a drag coefficient of 0,33 versus 0,35 of its predecessors, helps in improving fuel economy and driving stability.

Exterior colour choices range from Titan Grey to Polar White, Starry Night, Fiery Red, Typhoon Silver and Phantom Black, complemented by two 2-tone colour schemes: Fiery Red with a black roof, and Polar White with a black roof.

Interior with increased roominess, many conveniences

The interior space achieves an airy feeling inside the cockpit. One design highlight is the horizontal blades that cover the high and prominent dashboard. This gives it a very unconventional look by making the front fascia look slick and wide.

The all-new i20’s doors embrace the dashboard in an elegant, sensual way, having been inspired by shapes found in nature. The sculpture of the doors perfectly matches the instrument panel section. Its refined steering wheel is equipped with modern toggle switches, while its colour accents are also matched throughout the interior.

Occupants of the all-new i20 Fluid variants can also enjoy pleasant subtle interior lighting at night thanks to new blue LED ambient light technology.

The all-new i20’s dynamic proportions offer increased width and an enlarged wheelbase compared to the previous generation. This provides increased seating space for passengers in the rear, with rear passengers able to enjoy 88 mm more leg room and 40 mm more shoulder room than in the previous generation.

Boot space has been increased while a decreased beltline and a small, quarter-fixed glass window behind the rear door provide drivers with improved visibility. Available as a five-door hatchback, the all-new i20 can seat up to five people.

Interior trim choices range from mono-tone cloth for the Motion and 1.2 Fluid derivatives to dual-tone cloth seats for the 1.2 Fluid 2-Tone; mono-tone artificial leather for the 1.0 Fluid; and dual-tone artificial leather for the 1.0 Fluid 2-Tone derivative.

Among the many convenience features in the all-new i20 are:

• Electric folding mirrors for the Fluid variants;
• A rear-view monitor with guidelines displayed on the infotainment system’s screen;
• Air-vents for rear passengers in the Fluid variants;
• A USB charging socket and cell phone storage space for rear passengers;
• A multi-function steering wheel with radio and telephone control buttons (all variants); and
• A cruise-control function on the steering wheel for Fluid variants.

High-tech connectivity

The all-new i20 offers connectivity with a range of high-tech convenience features and premium sound quality. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, now offered with a wireless link, enable customers to mirror the functionality of their iOS and Android smartphones.

To increase the elegance and the visual comfort of the interior, the new 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the driver and high-resolution 8-inch centre touchscreen for the infotainment system have been visually combined. This paddle design makes the interior stand out, while the touchscreen offers customers multiple functions for the sound and infotainment system.

A wireless charging pad in the centre console means occupants no longer need to use a cable to charge their smartphones. Additionally, there are two front USB charging ports in all variants – one for connectivity and one for charging in the middle console, while another charging port is available for rear passengers in the Fluid variants.

New engine for increased power, efficiency

By offering three engines with three transmission choices, the all-new i20 range caters for different drivers’ needs and delivers even more efficient driving. It also offers improved ride and handling, as well as steering, compared to its predecessor.

At the top of the range, and for the first time in the i20, a 1.0 T-GDi engine is available with 90 kW maximum power and 172 Nm peak torque. It is linked to either the 7-speed DCT or a manual 6-speed gearbox. The manual version has a top speed of 190 km/h, and the 1.0 T-GDi with the 7-speed DCT reaches 187 km/h.

The 1.0 T-GDi is equipped with Hyundai’s Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology. CVVD optimises engine performance and fuel efficiency while also being eco-friendly. The valve control technology regulates the duration of the valve opening and closing according to driving conditions. This is the only system that can change the duration of the valve opening during a ride, depending on conditions.

A 1.2-litre Kappa is available as an engine in both the Motion and Fluid derivatives. This 4-cylinder petrol engine, coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission, offers 61 kW maximum power and 115 Nm peak torque, and it clocks a maximum speed of 169 km/h.

The 1.4-litre 4-cylinder MPi engine slots in between the other two, matched to a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. It delivers 74 kW maximum power and 133 Nm peak torque, with a top-speed of 173 km/h.

Thanks to its weight reduction of 4 % compared to its predecessor, the all-new i20 ensures it has very competitive CO2 values. This also means it drives more economically without compromising on driving pleasure.

Fuel consumption for the 1.2-litre engine derivatives came in at 5,9 litres per 100 km, while the 1.4-litre engine scored 6,9 litres/100 km. The top-end 1-litre turbo derivatives carded 6,5 litres/100 km for the manual version, and 6,9 litres/100 km for the DCT.

Ride and handling

An important part of the appeal of the all-new i20 is its excellent ride quality and the confident way it handles with a suspension which is sporty and firm, yet comfortable.

At the front McPherson struts with dampers and coil springs are used for the suspension, while a coupled torsion beam axle with dampers and coil springs are employed at the rear. The Motor Driven Power Assisted Steering (MDPS) delivers accurate lines through corners and adds stability to the i20’s road manners.

Safety

The new i20 has been built with a reinforced body structure – a key area which is critical to occupant safety. The i20’s body is reinforced with 36% advanced high-strength steel.

Passive safety systems in the new i20 include 6 airbags (driver, front passenger and two curtain airbags) in the Fluid variants, and driver and front passenger airbags in the Motion derivatives.

An Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) are standard features in the whole range.

All models are equipped with Isofix latches for child seats.