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Marton Pettendy12 Aug 2014
NEWS

PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Hyundai reveals new i20

First official pics and details of Hyundai's second-generation i20 hatch emerge

Hyundai has released the first official photos and details of its bigger new i20 hatchback, which has now also been confirmed to make its world debut at the Paris motor show on October 2.

Due on sale next year in Australia, where the original i20 dominates the light-car segment, the second-generation i20 will ride on a new platform with a 45mm-longer (2570mm) wheelbase and measures 4035mm long overall.

Hyundai says that will deliver class-leading interior space in the European B-segment, in which it has sold almost one million vehicles since 2002.

Designed at its German design centre in Russelsheim and developed specifically for Europe, Hyundai says its key aims for the new i20 are to open the Korean brand up to a wider audience, further develop perceptions of the brand and confirm Hyundai's position as a truly European car-maker.

To achieve that end, it says it will bring three key attributes: a larger interior, new technology and comfort-enhancing features and distinctive, refined design.

The larger cabin is claimed to comfortably seat five adults, with combined front and rear legroom measuring a class-leading 1892mm, while boot capacity is also claimed to be best-in-class at 326 litres behind the rear seats.

A key new feature that also promotes the sense of space is a first-in-class panoramic sunroof that both tilts and slides fully open, while other new technologies include an integrated rear-view camera and front LED lighting.

As previewed by official sketches earlier this month, the MkII i20's 'Fluidic Sculpture 2.0' design theme aims to be clear and simple.

It presents a lower and more upmarket chrome-framed hexagonal grille that connects the headlight clusters, which comprise bi-function projection beams, LED daytime running lights and LED positioning lamps, while a lower grille houses the front fog lamps.

A single feature line runs the length of the vehicle, while at the rear there's a gloss-finished black C-pillar that attempts to mimic a floating roofline and wrap-around boomerang-shaped tail-light clusters.

Hyundai's new i20 will do battle in Australia with the upgraded Volkswagen Polo to be launched next week, the facelifted Toyota Yaris due in showrooms next month and the all-new Mazda2 due in late October, as well as Honda's new Jazz and the Ford Fiesta.

Sales of the existing i20, which is currently priced from $15,590, were up more than 20 per cent in the first half of this year. Not including its own Accent, Hyundai is easily Australia's biggest seller of light cars, ahead of former top-sellers in the Mazda2 and Yaris.

Australia's i20 is currently sourced from India, but the new model seen here could be imported from Hyundai's Turkish or Czech plants, which could lead to improved safety and quality levels for our market, albeit at high prices.

The next i20 will also form the basis of Hyundai's high-profile World Rally Championship assault, which currently includes the outgoing i20 and Aussie Chris Atkinson, who will spearhead the brand at the Australian WRC round in Coffs Harbour over September 13-14.

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