I20's A Fuel-shy Hyundai

The Age

Wednesday September 10, 2008

Richard Blackburn

Hyundai's new i20 light car is tipped to become Australia's most fuel-efficient vehicle, writes Richard Blackburn.

HYUNDAI'S i20 is poised to become Australia's most

fuel-efficient vehicle.

The new i20 (right) is the car that could replace the Hyundai Getz in Australia from next year, and Hyundai claims the diesel version will use just 4litres per 100km, less than the Fiat 500 diesel (4.2L/100km) and the Toyota Prius (4.4L/100km).

The Euro-styled i20 will replace the Getz in Europe towards the end of this year, but Hyundai Australia is yet to confirm whether the car will be sold here.

Despite the denials, the i20 is odds-on to come to Australia and either replace the Getz or be sold alongside it as a premium offering.

The i20 is the second small hatch to be designed at Hyundai's European Design Centre in Russelsheim, Germany, following the release last year of its bigger brother, the i30.

As with the i30, the i20 has been designed to appeal to European driving tastes, which means it is likely to have dramatically better road manners than the current Getz.

The i30 is the best-handling Hyundai yet and the i20 is likely to retain the focus on increased driving enjoyment.

The new five-door (a three-door version will follow later) rides on a longer wheelbase than the current Getz, which means it should feel more secure on the road and have more space inside.

Expect interior fit and finish to be a big leap forward from both the Getz and the Accent, which sell side-by-side in the light segment in Australia.

The exterior design is also a big improvement over the Korean maker's current offerings, with sharp European lines reminiscent of the Volkswagen Polo.

Hyundai Motor Europe president Kun Hee Ahn says the i20 will offer more standard equipment than its European rivals, as well as more interior space, strong fuel economy and competitive road manners.

"The i20 was designed and engineered to meet European tastes and needs. It was built on an entirely new platform and much of the ride and handling development took place on European roads, which has created a firm and agile drive," he says.

The diesel version of the i20, the "i20 blue", has a number of modifications designed to make it more fuel efficient.

Key modifications include full-length under-floor covers for better aerodynamic performance; a 15-millimetre reduction in ground clearance; changes to the front and rear aerodynamics; low-rolling-resistance tyres and high-performance, low-friction engine oil.

The 1.4 CRDi diesel engine produces 66kW and 220Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox instead of the standard car's five-speed unit.

With fuel consumption at 4.0L/100km, the engine is claimed to produce just 99 grams per kilometre of carbon dioxide (CO2).

© 2008 The Age

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