• Hyundai is the world’s fastest growing auto brand since 2005
• Hyundai’s brand value growth continues to exceed industry average

Oct. 2, 2012 - Hyundai Motor Company, the fastest growing automotive company by brand, saw its brand value surge 24.4 percent from a year earlier to $7.5 billion, according to brand consultancy Interbrand’s 2012 Best 100 Global Brands.

Hyundai, which has been included in the Best 100 Global Brands list for eight consecutive years, ranked No. 53 out of 100 brands this year, a steady increase from the No. 84 position in 2005 and the company’s highest ranking ever.

“Hyundai’s recent investment in global campaigns and sensational new product designs are fulfilling customers’s emotional needs,” Interbrand said in a statement. “Brand awareness for Hyundai has increased phenomenally in a short period of time and we are looking forward to the brand’s future direction.”

The whopping growth rate of 24.4 percent this year significantly outperformed the industry’s average growth rate of 11.2 percent. Beyond the auto industry, Hyundai is also one of the world’s fastest growing brands, closely trailing the growth rate of brands such as Apple Inc., Google Inc., and Amazon.com.

In addition to the company’s continuous focus on quality, Hyundai attributed the stellar results to its brand management efforts. Hyundai announced its new `Modern Premium’ brand concept at the 2011 North American International Auto Show, unveiling its new brand direction and slogan. This year, Hyundai launched its first global brand campaign “Live Brilliant.”

“The significant growth in brand value, despite global economic difficulties and fierce competition, shows our enhanced brand status,” said Won-Hong Cho, Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor’s headquarters in Seoul. “We will strengthen our efforts to become the most beloved brand by delivering more values beyond customers’ expectations.”

The Interbrand rankings are calculated using companies’ financial balance sheets combined with marketing activities, while also reflecting each brand’s potential profit.

< Automotive Brand Rankings > 

 < Hyundai Motor’s Brand Value (‘05~‘12) >

• Up to 1,000 ix35 Fuel Cells on the road by 2015
• Cutting-edge proof of Hyundai’s commitment to eco-friendly mobility
• Public, private fleets targeted

Sept. 27, 2012 – Hyundai Motor Co. announced today that it will begin series production of its hydrogen ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle for public and private lease by the end of 2012, becoming the first global automaker to begin commercial rollout of zero-emissions vehicles.

In December 2012, Hyundai will begin production of the ix35 Fuel Cell at its Ulsan manufacturing facility in Korea, with a target of building up to 1,000 vehicles by 2015.

Hyundai has already signed contracts with cities in Denmark and Sweden to lease the ix35 Fuel Cell to municipal fleets.

Beyond 2015, Hyundai plans limited mass production of the ix35 Fuel Cell, with a goal of 10,000 units.

“The ix35 Fuel Cell is the pinnacle of Hyundai’s advanced engineering and the most powerful proof of our commitment to be the industry leader in eco-friendly mobility,” said Vice Chairman Woong Chul Yang, head of Hyundai R&D. “Zero-emissions cars are no longer a dream. Our ix35 Fuel Cell vehicle is here today, and ready for commercial use.”

Built with proprietary technology, Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell is powered by hydrogen. A fuel cell stack converts the hydrogen into electricity, which turns the vehicle’s motor. The only emission generated by the ix35 Fuel Cell is water.

The ix35 Fuel Cell is the halo vehicle in Hyundai’s Blue Drive sub-brand, the badge worn by Hyundai’s cleanest vehicles, including Sonata Hybrid, i20 Blue Drive and BlueOn, Hyundai’s battery-powered i10.

As governments around the world step up regulations to reduce carbon output and fossil fuel dependency, zero-emissions mobility solutions such as Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell will become a driving force of change. The ix35 Fuel Cell aligns with the 2009 agreement by the European Union’s G8 countries to reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050 and California’s Zero Emission Vehicle regulations.

Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell boasts drivability and performance similar to that of the petrol ix35. The ix35 Fuel Cell can be filled with hydrogen in only a few minutes. It accelerates from zero to 100 km/hr in 12.5 seconds, has a top speed of 160 km/hr and can travel 588 kilometers without refueling.

Hyundai chose its popular ix35 (also known as Tucson in some markets) as the first vehicle for its fuel cell technology. The ix35 is Hyundai’s second-best-selling car in Europe, behind only i30, and was one of the first to display Hyundai’s award-winning Fluidic Sculpture design identity. The ix35 is popular with families and businesses, thanks to its driver-friendly performance and five-passenger seating.

Hyundai is encouraged by the actions of several governments, especially in Europe, that have created detailed roadmaps for building a hydrogen infrastructure and are providing necessary funds. Hydrogen fueling stations exist in several European nations and additional ones are being built and planned. Expansion of fueling stations is also anticipated in Korea and California, and Hyundai will supply its ix35 Fuel Cell to public and private fleets there as well.

As a true zero-emissions vehicle, the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell is a powerful partner for public and private fleets that want to eliminate carbon emissions. It is a strong and highly visible statement of their efforts to fight climate change.

Because hydrogen can be produced in numerous ways, and because of limited vehicle demand, the cost of fuelling a hydrogen vehicle is set artificially rather than by the marketplace. Currently, the cost in Europe is roughly equivalent to 10 euros/100 km of driving range. A fully-charged ix35 Fuel Cell takes about 5.6 kg of hydrogen and can travel 588 km, meaning a fill-up costs about 56 euros.

Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell is currently participating in the European Hydrogen Road Tour, organized by the European demonstration program, H2moves. The Road Tour is a multi-city, pan-European display of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology, which has stopped in Paris during the motor show. Members of the media and the public are welcome to drive the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell at the Road Tour display.

Test versions of the ix35 Fuel Cell have already received both acclaim and significant day-to-day use. The ix35 Fuel Cell was selected as a test-drive vehicle for members of the European Parliament in 2011. Hyundai fuel cells and ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles provided power and transportation for the 2012 Yeosu Expo in Korea.

The ix35 Fuel Cell is the result of 14 years and several hundred million euros of research by hundreds of engineers at Hyundai’s fuel cell R&D center in Mabuk, Korea. The car has logged more than 2-million miles of road tests in real-world conditions in Europe, Korea and the U.S.

In early 2012, a Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell set a range record for hydrogen cars by driving from Oslo to Monaco using only existing fuelling stations.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Mong-koo Chung has made the fuel cell program a top priority for the company, leading its efforts to produce eco-friendly mobility solutions and be a responsible corporate citizen.

The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell Vehicle

The ix35 Fuel Cell is not only the most advanced eco-friendly vehicle produced by Hyundai, it is a working vehicle ready to stand the rigors of daily use in public and private fleets.

From a driver and passenger viewpoint, the ix35 Fuel Cell is barely distinguishable from its conventionally powered cousin. The only difference drivers are likely to notice is the absence of engine noise, thanks to the ix35 Fuel Cell’s whisper-quiet electric induction motor.

Hyundai’s downsizing of its proprietary fuel cell stack enables the ix35 Fuel Cell to accommodate five passengers with comfort. A fill-up at a hydrogen fueling station takes only a few minutes – just like the petrol-powered ix35. With a range of 588 kilometers, the ix35 Fuel Cell eliminates “range anxiety” often associated with alternative-fuel vehicles.

The big difference that drivers as well as the environment will notice is what comes out of the ix35 Fuel Cell’s tailpipe: nothing but water.

The new Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell has received an exterior makeover, with a new grille and other design touches that distinguish it from its predecessor test vehicles.

Inside, the ix35 Fuel Cell has been seriously upgraded. The fuel economy and range have been improved by 10 percent over the previous-generation model. Internal systems have been additionally modularized so the ix35 Fuel Cell can be easily manufactured on a conventional assembly line at Hyundai’s Ulsan facility.

Most importantly for motorists, the new ix35 Fuel Cell has been tuned for the demanding preferences of European drivers, with improved handling and driving dynamics.

Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell has unique operating features that set it apart from its competitors.

Unlike other fuel cell vehicles that use compressed air to supply oxygen to the fuel cell stack, Hyundai’s ix35 Fuel Cell uses ambient air. This reduces parasitic loss in the oxygen supply, raising fuel efficiency and reducing power consumption by 50 percent. For passengers, the elimination of an air compressor reduces noise inside the cabin.

In addition to the fuel cell stack, the ix35 Fuel Cell uses the same lithium-polymer battery found in the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. A kinetic energy regeneration system charges the battery when the driver applies the brakes or drives downhill.

The ix35 Fuel Cell is equipped with stop/start technology, which shuts down the fuel cell stack and relies on battery power only when the vehicle is idling, minimizing energy loss in city driving.

In sum, the ix35 Fuel Cell combines all of the drivability, styling and features of Hyundai’s popular ix35 and adds a powerful bonus: zero emissions.

The Hyundai Fuel Cell Program

Hyundai’s fuel cell program is based at its Eco-Technology Research Institute in Mabuk, Korea, about 45 minutes south of Seoul. The center represents the leading edge of Hyundai’s eco-friendly powertrain research.

The energy-saving LEED-certified research center has its own hydrogen fueling station and manufactures its fuel cell stacks in-house.

The programme was launched in 1998 with a roadmap targeting series production of fuel cell vehicles by the end of 2012 and consumer sales by 2015.

“The mission of the Mabuk research center is to create commercially viable, zero-emissions vehicles,” said Dr. Tae Won Lim, Managing Director of fuel cell R&D. “The ix35 Fuel Cell achieves that goal, providing a clear choice for public and private fleets.”

The ix35 Fuel Cell Specifications

• Three-door model extends i30 family
• Rally-ready i20 unveiled for first time
• ix35 Fuel Cell ready for public & private fleets

Sept. 27, 2012 – Hyundai has revealed three world premieres at the Paris Motor Show: its latest Europe-focused production car, the New Generation i30 three-door; its all-new motorsport contender, the rally-ready i20; and the ix35 Fuel Cell, ready for lease by public and private fleets. These new vehicles demonstrate the brand’s commitment to providing high quality innovation in Europe now, and in the future.

The New Generation i30 three-door extends the broad appeal of Hyundai’s ‘made for Europe’ C-segment range to an even wider audience, thanks to its new, more dynamic styling. Designed and engineered alongside its five-door and wagon siblings at Hyundai’s European Technical Centre in Germany, the newcomer is the first Europe-focused three-door C-segment car from Hyundai. New design touches are visible from every angle, including new front and rear fog lamps, a new-look mesh grille, a sharply raked beltline and a sportier rear. The three-door retains the same high levels of quality and equipment, along with the clean and efficient powertrains as the rest of the New Generation i30 family.

Hyundai’s rally-ready i20 model highlights the brand’s dynamism and performance pedigree. As with previous participation in the WRC series with the Accent, the rally-ready i20 is equipped to meet the rigorous FIA specifications required to compete in today’s WRC competition and heralds a return to motorsport for Hyundai.

Signaling Hyundai’s commitment to a clean and sustainable future, the production-ready ix35 Fuel Cell debuts at the show. Benefiting from a visual make-over and technical upgrades, including a 24 kW lithium-polymer battery and 100 kW fuel stack, it has a range of 588 km. Hyundai will begin series production of ix35 Fuel Cell December this year with fleet deliveries beginning in 2013.

Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe Allan Rushforth commented, “The Paris Motor Show is one of the major events on the European automotive calendar, so it is fitting that we have chosen this event to premier three major new vehicles from Hyundai. Each demonstrates an important element of the Hyundai brand, and together they reaffirm our commitment to Europe and its citizens – both today and in the future.”

“New Generation i30 three-door is the newest member of our truly European i30 family. With the rally-ready i20, we are prepared to take on the most technologically diverse challenge for an automotive manufacturer, proving our engineering excellence and helping to inspire future road-going models. Finally, the ix35 Fuel Cell is a clear demonstration of Hyundai’s commitment to a sustainable future which embraces viable, zero-emission powertrains,” he concluded.

The Paris Motor Show takes place from the 29^th September to the 14^th October. Hyundai’s booth is located in Hall 3, aisle D, stand number 417.

• Hyundai is poised to return to the World Rally Championship (WRC)
• Rally-ready model, based on New i20, unveiled at Paris Motor Show
• Realisation of long-term strategy to set-up in-house WRC team in Europe

Sept. 27, 2012 – Hyundai is poised to return to the FIA World Rally Championship (better known as the WRC) and has today unveiled a rally-ready version based on the New i20 at the Paris Motor Show.

The WRC is one of the world’s toughest motorsport series, and the vehicle has been engineered to overcome the extreme terrains and weather conditions that competitors face.

Following its withdrawal from motorsport in 2003, Hyundai’s long-term goal was to set up an in-house WRC team in Europe and develop a performance rally car, resulting in the WRC i20’s debut in Paris.

Mark Hall, Marketing Director at Hyundai Motor Europe, commented: “The World Rally Championship is recognized as one of the most dramatic sporting series on Earth. It’s a spectacle filled with excitement and dynamism – the perfect embodiment of the Hyundai brand.

“The WRC also offers the most technologically diverse challenge for an automotive manufacturer. Our participation will demonstrate Hyundai’s engineering excellence and durability, and will also help to enhance our road-going vehicles in future.”

Hyundai’s rally history

The company’s involvement in the sport began in 1998, when it competed in the F2 class of the WRC for two seasons. In 1999, the team announced it would step up to the top class in 2000, with a fully developed WRC car based on the three-door Accent.

At the end of 2003 season, after four years of WRC competition, Hyundai withdrew from the championship, embarking on its long-term strategy to set up an in-house WRC team in Europe.

About the WRC

The WRC is regulated and controlled by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body for worldwide motorsport.

Current World Rally cars are based on 1,6-litre production models, and feature dramatic aerodynamic enhancements, 4x4 systems, turbochargers, sequential gearboxes and other high-tech additions.

Hyundai’s sporting sponsorships

As well as motorsport, Hyundai is proud to be associated with a number of other sports. A long-term, committed partner of football, Hyundai has been an official UEFA EUROTOP partner since 1999, with the current agreement extending until 2017, ensuring Hyundai’s involvement at all major European Championship tournaments, including this summer’s UEFA EURO 2012™. The company has also served as the official automotive supplier to FIFA-sanctioned events around the world since the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ in Korea and Japan, under an agreement that will take in tournaments up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ in Qatar.

Hyundai is also the exclusive automotive sponsor of Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) ski jumping competitions around the world. The partnership will cover more than 80 ski-jumping events.

1. INTRODUCTION

Hyundai’s first ‘made for Europe’ C-segment three-door extends New Generation i30 family

The New Generation i30 provides the best evidence yet of Hyundai’s commitment to producing cars in Europe, for Europe – combining the design and engineering expertise of the team at the European R&D centre with the proven manufacturing excellence of the company’s Czech factory.

The arrival of the company’s first ever ‘made for Europe’ three-door in the segment will further extend the appeal of the i30 range, joining the five-door and wagon versions when it makes its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in September this year.

Conceived solely for Europe, the New Generation i30 three-door strengthens Hyundai’s presence in one of Europe’s most competitive vehicle segments – the segment in which the brand has seen its greatest success since 2007. The new bodystyle will contribute to increased sales and, just as important, greater brand awareness and enhanced consumer perceptions of Hyundai in Europe.

Visually, the styling differences between the five-door model and the new three-door are immediately apparent. While both cars bear the influence of the ‘fluidic sculpture’ form language that has been inspiring the design of all new Hyundai production vehicles since the ix35 was introduced in 2009, clear contrasts in the front, side and rear aspects mark out the three-door from its better known sibling.

New grille, fog lamps and lower bumper at the front are echoed at the rear, while the profile is noticeably more sporty thanks to a sharply raked beltline, more angular glasshouse silhouette and longer front doors. In addition to the existing 17-inch alloy wheels, the New Generation i30 three-door also offers exclusive 16-inch alloy wheels and a new orange colourway for the interior trim – including contrasting orange stitching on the steering wheel, gear shift knob, upper dashboard and door armrest - complete the visual transformation for the three-door model.

The longer front doors – 170 mm longer than the five-door’s – not only generate an impression of sportiness, but also provide a wider aperture ahead of the B-pillar, making access to the front seats even easier. Rear seat passengers in the New Generation i30 three-door enjoy plentiful space, with 38 mm more hip room than the five-door and only 21 mm less shoulder room. Other external and internal dimensions are the same as for the five-door model.

Dynamically and in terms of specification, powertrain options and efficiency, the three-door retains the positive characteristics of the five-door, engaging the driver with Europe-tuned ride and handling, and providing quality, equipment and comfort to make travelling in and owning an i30 a true pleasure.

The highlight of the powertrain range remains the U-II 1,6-litre diesel engine, generating 128 ps while emitting only 97 g/km of CO₂ with the Blue Drive package. Together, these figures make for the best power-to-efficiency ratio in the segment.

The in-house developed technologies known from the five-door are also all available, including Hyundai’s own six-speed manual and automatic transmissions and its FLEX STEER system with three settings for variable steering assistance depending on driver preference and prevailing conditions.

Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe, commented: “The three-door bodystyle is a valuable addition to the New Generation i30 family, extending the appeal of this truly European model for its European target audience. We expect to attract more consumers from a wider demographic range to Hyundai, including younger buyers drawn to the more dynamic styling and the three-door proposition.”

Demonstrating its confidence in the durability and quality of its products, Hyundai offers customers of all newly-launched products in Europe the industry-best, fully-transparent Five Year Triple Care. This award-winning package provides five years of unlimited-mileage warranty, five years of roadside assistance, and five years of vehicle health checks, and is fully transferable between owners.

The New Generation i30 three-door will be unveiled to the world at the Hyundai press conference during the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The conference will take place at 17:00 CET on Thursday 27th September in the Hyundai booth.

2. STYLING & DESIGN

Fluidic sculpture inspires three-door’s more dynamic design

As with its five-door and wagon siblings, the styling of the New Generation i30 three-door was inspired by Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design ethos. This philosophy takes its influences from the flowing lines of nature and modern architecture, and it drives the Hyundai design team to create impactful sculptural vehicles with a shared visual identity.

In the case of the three-door model, Hyundai has introduced an added dimension of dynamism and a greater sportiness to the New Generation i30, with clear visual distinctions between this and the five-door version.

Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre, commented: “We conceived all three bodystyles simultaneously to ensure that, whether viewed individually or as a family, these cars have coherent design and share a harmonious character. The three-door model evokes the most emotional response through its more dynamic appearance, making it stand out as the sportiest of the trio. It was our aim to create a successful design for the three-door that – from every angle – displayed clear points of difference between it and the five-door car.”

At the front, the most striking difference is the new treatment applied to the mesh insert surrounding the central bar in the middle of Hyundai’s signature hexagonal grille. Both the bar and the mesh are finished in black, accentuating the body-coloured hexagon shape. A new finish for the lower bumper includes a body-coloured section which meets the newly profiled lower edge of the grille. Sited on either side are new-design fog lamps – sportier in concept than the five-door’s, with round spots connected to LED daytime running light strips, encased in an angular housing and backed by the same new mesh as is embedded in the grille.

From the side, the already athletic profile of the five-door is enhanced on the three-door by a more sharply raked beltline that creates a more distinctive glasshouse silhouette. The line rises gradually from the wing mirror then cuts up noticeably in line with the leading edge of the rear wheelarch. With just as angular a treatment for the top edge of the glasshouse, the three-door presents a sportier look despite retaining the same overall dimensions as the five-door.

The rear’s lower bumper area has been remodelled, and includes a new horizontal, sculpted design of fog lamps, contrasting with the upright units of the five-door. Embedded in a more angular-shaped housing, these contribute to the impression of a wider, sportier rear – and this sense is completed by a new black insert at the bottom of the bumper.

With further exclusive styling features, buyers will be able to mark out their three-door cars from its siblings. These include specifying a unique new design of 16-inch alloy wheel only available on the three-door. And in the cabin there will be a new orange trim option that fits with the more sporty image of the three-door, including orange colour stitching on the steering wheel, gear shift knob and door armrest.

3. FLEET

Driving fleet growth to a 50% share

Since going on sale in 2007, the original i30 has played an important role in expanding Hyundai’s sales and reputation in Europe’s fleet sector. In its first months on sale, the New Generation i30 has already proven to be popular with fleet managers and company car drivers, and the introduction of the three-door model will extend the appeal of the range.

From the sales target of 120.000 units per year, Hyundai forecasts a 50:50 split between the fleet and private sectors.

Hyundai’s Five-Year Triple Care will continue to be a valuable point of differentiation for New Generation i30 in a highly competitive class. The five-year warranty has no mileage limit. Roadside assistance is included for five years, and vehicle health checks are performed annually, providing peace of mind for fleet buyers, fleet operators, company car drivers and private motorists.

Compared to the original i30, total cost of ownership for the New Generation i30 model is reduced, helped by improved fuel efficiency, lower CO₂ emissions and a lower insurance classification, making the i30 family a rational choice for fleets as well as an emotional one.

4. COMFORT & CONVENIENCE

Generous high-quality equipment ‘from the class above’

The quality and generosity of standard specification on the New Generation i30 have been inspired by the high standards established by Hyundai’s all-new i40, demonstrating the company’s desire to make its technology available to all European motorists. One such example is the heated steering wheel, which debuts on the New Generation i30 three-door and is being introduced to the rest of the New Generation i30 range. The three-door is available with the same standard and optional equipment as the rest of the i30 range.

Features that will appeal to New Generation i30 drivers include 10-way powered driver’s seat adjustment, heated front seats, electric parking brake, a Smart Key with engine start/stop button and cruise control with speed limiter function. Enhanced instrumentation with a TFT Supervision Cluster (executed to the same high quality as found on i40) provides a wide range of additional information to the driver in high-resolution clarity.

Located atop the centre stack, the optional navigation system is displayed via a 7-inch touch-screen. The system is a highly sophisticated and convenient GPS tool, offering real-time information, multi-media support and speech recognition in 10 European languages.

New features that enhance the New Generation i30 experience for passengers include dual-zone climate control with automatic defogging function, twin ventilation and heating ducts for rear seat occupants, and a truly panoramic glass sunroof which allows greatly increased natural light to flood the cabin. The sunroof has been designed to open fully or tilt open, offering flexibility and functionality, together with an adjustable full-length shade. Heat-reflecting solar glass is an option for the front, side and rear windows.

New Generation i30’s standard equipment also offers buyers LED daytime running lights, front fog lamps, 6-speed manual transmission, 60:40 split folding rear seat, front power windows with driver auto down, four-speaker audio system and a multi-mode trip computer.

Please note: Some markets may select particular powertrains and levels of equipment to suit the preferences of their local consumers – perhaps offering some ‘options’ as standard on New Generation i30 in their country. Please check the final technical specification and model-by-model equipment details with your national Hyundai PR staff.

5. ENGINES

Choice of six engines to power New Generation i30

Depending on individual market preferences, the New Generation i30 is available with a choice of six engines – three diesel and three gasoline units – with a broader range of power outputs, from 90 to 135 ps.

New, more powerful engines top both the diesel and gasoline line-ups delivering 128 ps and 135 ps respectively.

The upgraded diesel engine – the highly-efficient 1,6-litre variable geometry turbo (VGT) ‘U-II’ unit – is among the most popular powertrains in the line-up. Generating 110 ps at 4.000 rpm and 260 Nm from 1.900 rpm, the upgraded 1.582 cc engine accelerates the New Generation i30 from standstill to 100 km/h in under 11,5 seconds, and goes on to reach a top speed of 185 km/h– yet consumes just 4,0 l/100 km on the official combined cycle or 3,7 l/100 km in cars fitted with the Blue Drive package.

The gasoline engines also offer an excellent balance between performance and economy. The New Generation 1,6-litre ‘Gamma’ GDI engine features technically advanced ‘gasoline direct injection’ to maximize power and torque generation while minimizing fuel consumption and emissions. This 1.591 cc unit produces 135 ps at 6.300 rpm and 164 Nm of torque at 4.850 rpm. With this engine, i30 accelerates to 100 km/h in only 9,9 seconds and records consumption of 5,7 l/100 km (combined cycle) or 5,0 l/100 km on models equipped with the Blue Drive package.

Both diesel and gasoline engine types play a significant role in the European C-segment, with diesel representing 58% and gasoline 39% of total sales*. Overall, Hyundai is expecting a 50:50 split between sales of diesel- and gasoline-powered variants of New Generation i30 models.
* Jan-June 2012 – Source: JATO

Low emissions and real-world efficiency
The addition of Hyundai technologies developed under the company’s Blue Drive™ sub-brand optimizes efficiency and lowers emissions for the New Generation i30. These technologies, which are available on both diesel and gasoline models with manual transmission, include Integrated Stop & Go (ISG), low-rolling resistance tyres and an alternator management system (AMS). With CO₂ emissions from just 97 g/km, combined with an engine delivering 128 ps, the new 1,6-litre diesel i30 features a best-in-class power-to-efficiency ratio.

Together with a generous 53-litre fuel tank, drivers of the new model should comfortably achieve a range of 1.400 kilometres between fill-ups. In other words, a New Generation i30 owner could drive from the car’s production home in Nošovice, Czech Republic to the Paris Motor Show in France on a single tank of fuel.

Six-speed transmissions for every model
Buyers of New Generation i30 have a choice between manual and automatic six-speed transmissions, depending on model, with both units providing a refined driving experience. The automatic transmission is an option on all 1,6-litre engines, while the 1,4-litre units will be available exclusively with a manual gearbox.

6. RUNNING GEAR

Enhanced handling and variable power steering

As part of its improved dynamics package, New Generation i30 offers C-segment car buyers the new option of Hyundai’s innovative FLEX STEER system. This introduces three operating modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport – and allows the driver to vary the level of steering support to best suit the driving conditions.

The Comfort mode gives greater electrical assistance, offering a ‘lighter’ steering wheel and minimal effort to reach full steering lock. The improved manoeuvrability makes city driving and pulling in and out of a parking space easier than ever.

Normal mode is intended to be used most frequently. Offering the best experience across all road types, its flexibility offers a relaxed, yet engaging drive.

Finally, Sport mode offers drivers the most engaging drive with reduced electrical assistance. The steering feels more weighted and best suits highway routes.

The steering system employs electric power assistance and requires 2,85 turns lock-to-lock for a 10,6-metre turning circle.

Fully independent all round, New Generation i30’s suspension features subframe-mounted MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link set up at the rear – both with optimized geometry to exploit the wider track of the new model for enhanced handling and improved road holding.

7. REFINEMENT

Generous cabin space and minimised interior noise

The 2.650 mm wheelbase is carried over from the original i30 for New Generation i30 in all three bodystyles, but an increase in overall length and width has been exploited to create more cabin space for occupants and more cargo space for luggage.

In the three-door and five-door, front seats occupants can enjoy 30 mm more headroom, 11 mm more legroom and 14 mm of additional shoulder room than in the original i30. Rear passengers enjoy improved access across the rear seats, thanks to the floor’s central tunnel being lowered by 59% (from 133 mm to just 54 mm).

In the hatchback models, trunk capacity is boosted by 11% to 378 litres (up 38 litres) compared to the original i30, the dashboard glovebox is enlarged by 47% to 8,5 litres (up from 5,8), bottle storage in the front door trims is doubled in size to 1,5-litres and new 0,75-litre storage pockets are provided in the rear doors.

In terms of cabin refinement and NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness), Hyundai’s New Generation i30 engineering team targeted the segment leaders, and was determined to achieve significant improvements over the previous i30 model.

Measures adopted to improve NVH include vibration damping engine mounts, fitting hollow drive shafts, stronger bodyshell joints between the sills and B-pillars, double-layer door seals, increased foam-filling in the A-pillars and re-shaped exterior door handles.

8. SAFETY

Class-leading safety features

Safety is a top priority for Hyundai and the New Generation i30 features the latest active and passive safety technologies to ensure maximum protection for its occupants and other road users. Active safety features include ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management), ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), BAS (emergency Brake Assist System), HAC (Hill Assist Control) to prevent roll-back and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal) which flashes the brake lights when an emergency stop is detected.

Good visibility is a key factor in safe driving and New Generation i30 features LED daytime running lights – fitted as standard in Europe – to ensure it is seen, plus HID (High-Intensity Discharge) headlamps with AFLS (Adaptive Front Light System) to optimize the driver’s night vision. To maximize safety when reversing, a wide angle rear view camera is available, mounted in the tailgate badge (three-door and five-door only) and showing a clear view of obstructions behind the car.

Personal security is also enhanced with New Generation i30 by the ‘welcome lighting’ package which features puddle lamps beneath the door mirrors and illuminated door handles – triggered by the proximity of the Smart key as the owner approaches the parked car.

In terms of passive safety, the New Generation i30’s bodyshell structure employs a high percentage of ultra high tensile steel and features three new cross-members which link to the front or rear suspension mounts for maximized rigidity. The front door anti-intrusion beams have been strengthened, the joint between the B-pillar and roof enlarged while the inner- and outer-side sill panels are manufactured in high tensile steel.

Each New Generation i30 is fitted with six airbags as standard – front, front side and full length curtain – while an innovative driver’s knee airbag is optional.

The safety features available on the New Generation i30 reinforce Hyundai’s excellent record on safety, and in May 2012 the five-door model was awarded the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP’s impact assessment programme, including a class-leading 90% score in the ‘child occupant’ category. It was the seventh consecutive Hyundai model to attain the top rating. In September 2012 the New Generation i30 wagon also received a maximum five-star Euro NCAP impact assessment programme rating.

9. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS / EUROPE

New Generation i30 three-door

Body & Chassis
Three-door, five-seater hatchback. Choice of up to six transversely mounted diesel and gasoline engines driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual or automatic transmission – depending on model and market.

Diesel engines

1,4-litre 90 ps

1,6-litre 110 ps

1,6-litre 128 ps

Gasoline engines

1,4-litre 100 ps

1,6-litre 120 ps

1,6-litre 135 ps

Transmissions

Gear Ratios (Manual)

Steering, suspension and damping

Brakes

Wheels and tyres

Dimensions (mm)

Exterior

Interior

Capacities (litres)

Weights

Performance

Fuel consumption and emissions (models with ISG)

Fuel consumption and emissions (models without ISG)

*Official combined cycle test