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 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.