Upgraded Hyundai i30 U At Geneva

Hyundai will reveal an updated version of its highly successful i30 hatchback at Geneva.

The revised i30 builds on the strengths of the current i30 range, whilst taking styling cues from the 2010 MY i30 Edition to further accentuate the car's dynamic design.

Hyundai will seek to launch the upgaded i30 (2011 MY) this summer. Specification, pricing and launch timings will be confirmed in due course.

Hyundai Go Blue

On the eve of Hyundai's Geneva debut, where the all new Hyundai iX35 will be revealed, the Korean giant will also showcase a plethora of eco-focused Blue Drive vehicles.

The i10, i20 and i30 will undergo a number of tweaks to transmissions, tyres and aerodynamics, aided by ISG technology, in order to achieve to the sub-100g/km range.

The i10 will employ a new efficient 1.0 petrol engine, emitting CO2 of just 99g/km, whilst the i20 with 1.4 CRDi engine will be mated to a new 6 speed manual transmission and produce just 98g/km of CO2. The i30 uses the 1.6 CRDi 90PS engine and produces CO2 emissions of just 98g/km and 99g/km for the hatchback and estate models respectively.

Hyundai Announce New 'Editions' For 2010

Hyundai will release a slurry of special editions in 2010 based on their popular i10, i20 and i30 models.

Badged 'Edition' each will deliver unique enhancements with eye catching style and added value within the range.

With VAT due to revert back to 17.5% in January, Hyundai are keen to keep their 2009 sales success going by offering better value, high spec versions through styling enhancements to both interior and exterior, based on it's mid range Comfort models.

i10 Edition
By far and away Hyundai's most popular model in 2009 was the Hyundai i10. Selling over 25,000 models or three times it's projected target in 2009, Hyundai simply ran out of stock but recently announced an improvement in the supply chain.

For just £50 more than a Comfort, the i10 Edition offers fantastic value for money and a real stand out package. A comprehensive specification list is complemented by stylish extras to create a more desirable package and a real incentive to up-sell from the Comfort. Key highlights include:

• Air conditioning
• 14" alloy wheels
• Remote central locking
• Electric windows
• Leather steering wheel and gear knob
• Body coloured bumper and side mouldings - the first time offered on i10
• Coloured interior trim

The 1.1 engine ensures that i10 Edition is offered at the most competitive price possible while still providing additional specification over the Comfort. Edition also boasts the lowest insurance costs of any i10 at 2 (1-20 Groups) or 9 (1-50 Groups).

i20 Edition
The new arrival had a slow start to 2009 due to early supply problems but soon set the pace and proved extremely popular with previous owners of the outgoing Hyundai Getz.

The i20 Edition is aimed at the individual who wants an eye catching and stylish car. Offered as a 1.2 petrol and based on the Hyundai i20 3 door and 5 door body styles, it is positioned between the Comfort and Style trims. To really complete an already competitive package, the interior has received special attention, and is now finished with bespoke upholstery featuring high quality genuine leather inserts and contrast stitch detail. Now combining elegant style inside and out, the i20 Edition offers:

• Air conditioning
• 15" alloy wheels
• 'Edition' leather and cloth seat trim with contrast stitching
• Electric windows
• ESP
• Leather steering wheel and gear knob
• Front fog lights
• Remote central locking
• Steering wheel audio controls
• USB and Aux connections

A price walk of £405 over the Comfort 1.2 offers genuine value for money, and as a final measure to promote even more showroom appeal, we are also offering this special edition in two new colours exclusive to Edition, Ice Blue and Crystal White.

i30 Edition
Completing the group, the i30 Edition is instantly recognisable, featuring a sporty body styling package including all new bumpers, front grille and side skirts. Based on the 2010 MY Comfort, it provides a bridge to the top of the range Premium, and gives customers the option of a dramatic exterior makeover, unique interior details, and some high value extras included in the package:

• 'Edition' exterior styling package
• 16" alloy wheels
• Air conditioning
• Privacy glass
• Electric windows
• ESP
• Steering wheel audio controls
• USB and Aux connections
• Front fog lights
• Interior styling package - sports pedals and dials, chrome finished gear knob

Available in a range of popular colours and including Crystal White paint, exclusive to this version in the Hyundai i30 range, the stylish package will provide real showroom presence and stand out appeal. And, offered with 1.4 petrol, 1.6 petrol and 1.6 CRDi 115PS engines, the i30 Edition will provide something for all levels of driver from the value seeker to those that demand more performance.

Scrappage
Hyundai will offer all 'Edition' models onto its successful scrappage scheme. Prices will start from £6,325 for the i10, £7,915 for the i20 1.2 3dr and £9,995 for the i30 1.4 manual.

The new Edition range goes on sale on 4th January 2010.

Hyundai Announce 2010 i30

Hyundai released details of its new 2010 Hyundai i30 hatchback today.

Due to be launched on the 4th January 2010, Hyundai will streamline the range offering a new entry level price point, better equipment levels and consistent price walks between trim levels.

The repositioning includes the introduction of a Classic trim as well as deletion of the Style and adjustments to the specification of the Comfort and Premium trims. The new i30 Classic will be the entry model to the range, and will be available with the existing 1.4 petrol engine and a new 1.6 CRDi 90PS diesel engine.

The Classic 1.4 petrol will be available from £12,000 OTR, positioning it at a lower price point than the 2009 MY Comfort whilst retaining a competitive level of standard specification such as ESP, air conditioning and electric front windows.

The i30 Classic 1.6 CRDi 90PS will be available from £12,950 OTR, reducing the price entry point of the diesel range by £1,140.

In between the Comfort and Premium will sit the 2010 special edition, designed to broaden i30's appeal, generate showroom interest and act as a bridge between the volume and top specification levels.

Cost of ownership

The i30 continues to offer unrivalled value for the retail customer, delivering competitive pricing combined with very low total ownership costs, competitive fuel economy and CO2 emissions plus the benefit of a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty.

For the company car driver, the 2010 model year range is an equally attractive proposition, with low P11D values and competitive CO2 emissions. The Comfort 1.6 CRDi 115PS will cost the 40% tax payer £723 per year, £466 less than a similarly specified Citroen C4.

Introduction of Intelligent Stop & Go technology

Available from the 2010 model year, Intelligent Stop & Go technology (ISG) will be introduced as a special order option on all models with manual transmission. This technology will reduce CO2 emissions and lower VED taxation for selected models. Highlights include:

• CO2 emissions of the new Classic 1.6 CRDi 90PS reduce from 115 to 110 g/km, allowing businesses a 100% year one capital write-down allowance
• CO2 emissions of the Comfort 1.6 CRDi 115PS Estate reduce from 124 to 119 g/km, saving the customer £85 per year in road tax
• Improvements in fuel economy of up to 10% on the Hatchback and 14% on the Estate

The new Hyundai i30 range goes on sale on 4th January 2010.

Hyundai i10 Supply Chain Improving

Scrappage has had a massive impact on Hyundai sales this year. In fact it's given the Korean car maker such a boost that it would have taken years and millions more pounds in advertising to have achieved the sort of market share that it has gained from the Government backed scheme.

Hyundai have sold almost two years of production in a matter of months and the sheer magnitude of this success has had a knock on effect. In fact it's a credit to the logistical mastery of the Korean's that they've been able to even manage it.

At the beginning of the year Hyundai provided a sales commitment to the factories which totalled 32,500 vehicles, by the end of the year that figure will reach in excess of 55,000 vehicles.

The best selling model in particular is the Hyundai i10 where Hyundai set a target of 8,000 cars but sold in excess of 25,000. That's almost three years of production in a few months.

With 13,000 back orders it's only natural that customers & dealers are getting frustrated. Some customers are calling the dealerships to complain, some are even calling Hyundai directly.

However the situation is improving with commitment from the factory to secure additional allocation of i10 and i20 derivatives for December production. This means that Hyundai will be able to supply these vehicles for January delivery.

So if your a customer who's still waiting to pick up your new Hyundai, just hang on a little longer, it'll all be worth the wait in the end.

Hyundai Bucks The Trend

Just like we predicted back in Decemember when Hyundai launched its all new Hyundai i20 in the UK, the Korean car giant has seen car sales grow a massive 33% in January where other manufacturers have been falling by the wayside.

The key to its success lies in its value for money image. Consumers these days are doing far more research seeking out products that offer real value in terms of quality and price.

Coupled with a slurry of new eco-friendly products like the i10 and i20, consumers are simply flocking to showrooms for a closer look where they've discovered Hyundai is no longer the poor mans alternative to Ford but a huge global brand with European designed cars, industry leading warranties and prices and specification that put the likes of Ford and Vauxhall to shame.

The Korean company registered 1,885 cars in Britain last month, a 5.66 percent increase over 2008’s figures. The increase wasn’t bulked out by massive ‘fire sale’ cut-price deals to big fleet buyers either, as 1,352 of those cars total went to private customers. This represents a 33.7 percent rise in sales to this sector compared to 2008 and gave Hyundai a 2.5 percent share of the retail market.

Managing Director of Hyundai UK, Tony Whitehorn said: "They are reading press reports and comparing specification, prices and warranties before making a commitment. Hyundai is coming out on top and it means we are attracting customers who have never considered the brand before. They really like what they find and it’s translating into genuine sales."

Unlike Ford and Vauxhall, Hyundai did not increase its prices in January either, making the company’s products look even more competitive.

Hyundai are set to launch a second wave of eco-friendly models later in the year. The i30 Blue, which uses an advanced technology called ISG (Idle Stop & Go) which turns the engine off when the vehicle is stationary, makes it's debut alongside the all new three-door Hyundai i20 and a concept SUV codenamed HED-6.

Hyundai Start Production On i30 Blue

Hyundai has started production of its next generation eco friendly i30 hatchback at its European factory in Nosovice, Czech Republic.

Instead of something obvious like "green" Hyundai decided on a global strategy to name all low emission vehicles to be launched, starting with i30, under the sub-brand "blue".

Hyundai have made massive investment in R&D and are committed to lowering vehicle CO2 emissions and reducing costs for consumers. The first technology to come out of this investment is ISG (Idle Stop and Go) technology which Hyundai is bringing to one of its production cars for the first time.

The first glimpse of this new technology will be at the Geneva Motorshow on March 3rd where the i30 Blue will be showcased alongside the three door version of its all new Hyundai i20 supermini as well as a new SUV concept codenamed HED-6.

Ideal for city driving, the i30 blue will automatically switch the car’s engine off when stationary.

The ISG system uses an advanced starter motor connected to the ECU, which monitors the car’s status at all times. Remarkably, this technology applied to Hyundai’s 1.6-litre petrol engine reduces fuel consumption by 7% on the official combined cycle, while achieving a lower CO2 rating of 142g/km, compared to 152g/km on the regular i30 1.6.

Available in UK showrooms by the autumn, the i30 blue will come in both five-door hatchback and estate body styles and with a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines. Other i30 engine derivatives will progressively be offered with ISG technology, followed by more models in the Hyundai range.

Hyundai i20 Motability

Customers looking to purchase the all new Hyundai i20 using their Motability allowance should be in for a pleasant suprise when Hyundai publish their updated campaign prices shortly.

The high guaranteed future values predicted from used car market and motor industry analysts CAP, will mean that the advance deposits, needed to bridge the shortfall between the higher rate allowance and the 3yr future values, should be low.

Motability have been applying a lot of pressure on car manufacturers to reduce the C02 emmissions on cars. The European Union made a commitment, as part of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, to reduce CO2 emissions to an average of 130 g/km by 2012. In line with banding introduced by the government and adopted by car manufacturers, cars with a carbon dioxide emission level of less than 120 g/km are considered low emission models, and currently there are around 150 available through the Motability Scheme.

With its high predicted values and new low emission engines, especially the diesels, the Hyundai i20 prices should be attractive to potential and existing buyers on the Motability Scheme.

To join the Motability Car Scheme, you must be receiving either:

• Higher Rate Mobility Component (HRMC) of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - currently £46.75 per week - or,
• War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS) - currently £52.25 per week.
  

Hyundai Launch New i20 TV Ad

To support the all new Hyundai i20 supermini, which went on sale today around car showrooms in the UK, Hyundai have created a new TV ad which will air on all major TV channels this week.

The i20 TV Ad enhances the True Quality Matters brand message with the key product messages of style, space and freedom.

This high profile campaign will first air in all ITV1 regions in the first ad break of The Bill at 8:15pm on Thursday 15th January and initially run until 11th February. Then, from 19th February we will pulse the TV ad one week on and one week off until 8th April.

The plan will extend the i20 TV campaign to 12 weeks, meaning Hyundai will be on TV with i20 through the whole of their Phase 1 quarter campaign.

Hyundai i20 Looking Good Value

The future is looking good for buyers of the new Hyundai i20, well especially where GFV's or Guaranteed Future Value's are concerned.

After close collaboration with the independent industry guides and whole life cost providers, Hyundai have announced the new i20 will enter the market with some of the most competitive figures possible.

After 3 years / 30,000 miles, the i20 Classic 1.2 5 door is expected to achieve 47% of its original value, whilst the i20 Comfort 1.4 CRDi 3 door reaches an extremely strong 49%.

Every mainstream version in the i20 range achieves a minimum of 43%, which is further confirmation that customers will benefit from the perfect package – as the WhatCar? website review summarises this week, "The Hyundai i20 is cheap to buy, costs peanuts to run and comes stacked with luxury kit. Safety is top drawer, and it rides well, too."

Latest Insurance Groups

In addition to the strong GFV's, the i20 has also this week been given a strong and very competitive set of insurance ratings.

Over a third of the range will be placed in the insurance group 3E category which is one of the lowest in its class. This includes both the 1.2 Classic and Comfort petrol models as well as the Comfort 1.4 CRDi diesel.

The remaining range will be listed as group 4E.

These groupings are extremely competitive and are evidence of the high level of quality and standard safety equipment in the i20, and the impact this will have on buyers' ownership costs.

First Hyundai i20's Arrive At Dealerships

The first batch of Hyundai i20 hatchback's started arriving at UK dealerships today in time for its official launch on the 15th January 2009.

Hyundai see the i20 as a replacement for its outgoing Getz, which despite its odd name, has sold more than 500,000 units since its launch in 2002.

Now the nomenclature has been changed to the more familiar 'i' family of names, Hyundai expect the i20 to achieve even greater heights and become its best ever selling car in Europe.

To do this, Hyundai needs to think smart because the b-segment is one of the toughest markets in which to succeed with supermodels like the Grande Punto, new Mazda 2 and Fiesta strutting the catwalk and taking centre stage.

One advantage Hyundai does have in its favour is the changing market. Nobody can argue in these increasingly hard times that value for money is the main focus on consumers minds and it's here that the Korean giant has this one in the bag. When you think 'value-for-money' you think Hyundai and only they can blow it by getting too confident and pricing themselves out of the market.

At £8,195 for the i20 1.2 Classic 3dr (due in April), Hyundai have certainly done their homework. Only the Mazda 2, mentioned above, has the edge in price here but lacks the specification and the warranty of the i20 and has the perceived image of being more expensive.

Of course one can always argue the Mazda 2, World Car Of The Year, will be superior in quality but that remains to be seen with Hyundai claiming price and budget wasn't the motivation behind this car. Instead the aim is to target the very same customers who'd consider the Mazda and who are also unfamiliar with the Hyundai badge, namely younger couples with families.

With the Autocar 'Automotive Manufactuer Of The Year' award and the economic downturn forcing consumers to downsize from larger cars, the momentum and opportunity is in the Korean car giants favour. The big question is: will the end of 2009 see the Hyundai-Kia group jump from the world's 5th largest car maker to the 4th?

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Hyundai Announce i20 Prices & Specification

Hyundai today released prices, specification and launch information on its all new Hyundai i20 supermini.

The new i20 hatchback, which will replace the outgoing Getz, will launch Hyundai into a new market where quality, style and comfort takes precedence over budget and price. However Hyundai's main objective will be to retain its current Getz owners as well as attracting new customers not familiar with the brand such as younger families.

Hyundai are hoping the new i20, which was designed in Europe and built in Chennai, India, will account for 30% of all Hyundai sales in 2009. In come a new range of petrol and diesel engines with the 5 door being launched on 15th January and the 3 door following in April.

Product strategy for the i20 will be to offer high levels of standard equipment from entry model versus class norm such as rear electric windows as standard on mid-range models and half leather interiors and climate control on the top of the range versions. There'll also be fewer additional extra's other than the usual metallic paint and with ESP the only factory fit option.

Three trim levels will be introduced; Classic, Comfort and Style following the same convention as its smaller brother the i10. The i20 will also use the new 'Kappa' 1.2 engine shared with the i10, although oddly enough, won't be able to match the i10's 118 g/km emission output which would place it in band B and £35 per year road tax.

However, there will be an all new 1.4 CRDi engine which will find itself in the Comfort and Style versions with the latter producing a very green 116 g/km of C02.

Full engine lineup will consist of a 1.2 petrol, 1.4 petrol (as used in the Getz) and the new 1.4 CRDi.

Air conditioning will be standard on the Classic and Comfort models along with 6 airbags, USB/AUX connectivity for MP3 players like the iPod, CD player, electric windows, central locking and tinted glass all be standard across the range. Alloy wheels, heated mirrors, colour coded handles and audio controls on the steering wheel will come in on the Comfort.

The range topping Style will get leather seat trim, leather steering wheel and gear knob, climate control, bigger alloys and front fog lamps.

6 exterior colours will be offered at launch including one solid and five metallic paint finishes. Finally i20 prices will start from £8,645 for the 1.2 Classic 5dr upto £11,845 for the range topping 1.4 CRDi Style.

The i20 1.2 Classic 3dr which arrives in April will be priced from £8,195 upto £9,995 for the 1.4 CRDi Comfort 3dr.

All Hyundai i20 will come with Hyundai's 5 year unlimited mileage warranty.

Hyundai i30 Specification Changes

Hyundai announced specification changes to its Hyundai i30 hatchback on the back of the commencement of production at their first European automotive plant, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC) in Nosovice, the Czech Republic.

Very soon, this facility will be taking over the supply of the highly acclaimed Hyundai i20 to the European market.

Key changes to the new i30 variants are the introduction of headlamps with black bezel, a re-location of the USB & Aux unit from the console storage box to the lower centre fascia, deletion of the centre fascia upper tray and new Material Codes starting with 'IR'.
Hyundai will be gradually introducing the HMMC (Czech) i30 variants to the network depending on the stock levels of the equivalent HMC (Korea) i30 variants.

Hyundai i30 Campaign Enhancement

Hyundai have seen the sales rate of its new Hyundai i30 exceeding expectations, no doubt driven by positive PR and its 0% finance offer.

However, the supply chain for certain models now appears to be overstretched and Hyundai are now unable to supply to keep up with demand. The i30 models effected are the 1.4 and 1.6 diesel Comfort models which are entry level derivatives. Also effected are the 1.4 and 1.6 diesel Style.

The supply situation is bound to frustrate its dealer network especially with less than a week to go until the new registration. However its not all bad news.

The focus now will be to sell the higher specification models from stock and in order to do that Hyundai have announced 4 years 0% finance with a 20% deposit.

The offer is applies to the following i30 derivatives:

• 1.6 Petrol Style & Premium manuals
  
• 1.6 Diesel Premium (manuals and auto)
• All 2.0 Diesel models

The extension of the 0% finance offer over 4 years will allow customers to purchase higher specification i30 models at lower monthly payments. The offer ends 31st March 2008

Hyundai i10 Launch

Hyundai plan to send out the first batch of its all new Hyundai i10 to its dealer network in time for the official launch.

2 cars will form part of each dealerships launch stock allocation, and will be arriving with towards the middle of March. In addition, supporting launch material will be supplied by the 17th March to enable dealerships to offer "privileged" viewings for their customers.

The Privileged launch activity will be further supported by a nationally run Teaser Campaign to raise the awareness and interest in the Hyundai i10 ahead of its main launch on 2nd April.

Hyundai Develop Sports Styling Kit For New i30

Whilst we have not exactly been bowled over by the design of the new Hyundai i30, this recently developed sports styling kit does go someway to making amends.

Seen here in all its glory at Millbrook circuit, the i30 styling kit comprises of front, side and rear bumper skirts, rear roof spoiler, 18 inch alloys with low profile tyres, twin tail pipes and front and rear bumper inserts.

The kit was developed after Hyundai dealers previewed the Hyundai i30 at one of its pre-launch invitations. Feedback clearly got back to the Korean car maker with Hyundai now offering generous subsidies to encourage dealers to fit the styling kit for pre-launch events.

Maybe like us, they also thought it was a little bland.

i Bet 30 Somethings Won't By This Hyundai

So it's happened again!! A car manufacturer has launched a new motor car to the world's press and yet again it looks nothing like the concept that had us drooling.

The car in question this time is the all new Hyundai i30 a car that the Korean firm claim is "the most important car Hyundai has ever launched in the UK".

Forget all the corporate bull for a moment and take a look at the two cars in this picture. The one on the top was what we thought we were getting, the one on the bottom is what we got. Ok, it's not the ugliest car on the planet and it is a big improvement on the Hyundai hatchbacks of the past, but come on it's about as exciting as wood.

While Tony Whitehorn, Managing Director of Hyundai UK, was wooing the world's press with quotes like: "it heralds a dramatic shift in image and attitude that will drive change in people’s perception of the whole Hyundai brand", Fiat were giving us what we really want in their all new Fiat Bravo hatchback.

Now that's a car that will excite car buyers and give the big boys like Ford, VW and Vauxhall a run for their money. Sure the Fiat will probably fall to bits around you and breakdown at the first sign of rain, but you'll have a lot of fun along the way.

Sure the just like all Hyundai's, the i30 will be reliable, well built and never let you down when it counts. But it's hard to believe that this is a car design from the same company that brought us the superb Hyundai Coupe and the new shape Santa Fe. Both of these models breath new life into Hyundai and attract buyers of all ages, which is what you need to do if you have ambitions to be the biggest car maker on the planet.

As Mr Whitehorn finished his keynote speech with: "Similarly to other alpha-numerically named line-ups, it should become obvious that with a range of cars from i10 to i70 (and more perhaps, in time) – with special suffixes for estates, SUVs and sports coupe models – it will be easy to identify that Hyundai has a progressive range of cars."

Well in that case you should have called this the i70, as i doubt many customer's below the age of 30 will be driving this.