Hyundai i30 (2007): First official pictures

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

01 March 2007 02:35

Hyundai i30: the lowdown

The Koreans are continuing to assault the mainstream European market - and Hyundai's new Golf rival is its latest effort. The unusually named i30 is the production interpretation of the Arnejs concept car shown at Paris last autumn. It heralds a new nomenclature for Hyundai's models, which have previously relied on straightforward names. The i30 is the small family hatch (30 = C-segment); logic suggests that the i40 will be the family car (40 = D-segment) and i20 the supermini (20 = B-segment). You get the idea.

Details are pretty scarce today, but Hyundai has said that i30 buyers will be able to pick between three petrol and three diesel engines, and a choice of manual and auto gearboxes. It certainly looks a world better than the ageing Accent and Elantra. Hyundai claims the i30 has one of the longest wheelbases in the class, so it should be roomy. It's based on the same mechanical package as partner firm Kia's Cee'd, and we expect it to be a slick - if uninspiring - drive.

By Tim Pollard