We’ve seen the new Hyundai i10 in the studio and the under the cold lights of the Frankfurt Motor Show, but short of an actual walkaround, the best way to appreciate a car is with some sunlight and pretty backgrounds. The second-gen Hyundai i10 had a recent European media drive, and here is the photographic evidence.
Designed and engineered in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the European spec i10 rolls out from the recently-expanded plant in Ízmit, Turkey for the continent. The A-segment city car is substantially bigger – it’s 80 mm longer, 65 mm wider and 50 mm lower than the original, with a 5 mm-longer wheelbase.
This means more space inside, as well as a best-in-class 252-litre luggage capacity (up by 27 litres, or 12%), which can be expanded to 1,046 litres with the rear seats down. The boot opening is one of the widest in its class at 920 mm.
Small cars are growing up at a fast pace, and not just in size. The use of high-tensile steel, tailored blanks, reinforcing loops and additional bracing increase torsional rigidity by 27%. Improving NVH are larger hydraulic engine mountings, a triple-layer dashboard bulkhead with sound-deadening panel, and dual door sealing strips, amongst others.
As a result, noise levels are measured at 38 dB at idle and 65 dB on rough surfaces – lower than its key rivals, says the Korean carmaker.
Three dual-CVVT Kappa engines have been announced – a 66 PS/94 Nm 1.0 litre three-cylinder, an 87 PS/120 Nm 1.25 litre four-cylinder and a 67 PS/90 Nm 1.0 litre LPG three-cylinder (1.1 litre Epsilon discontinued). Five-speed manual and four-speed auto ‘boxes are available. The LPG is manual-only.
Additionally, a 1.0 litre petrol-engined Hyundai i10 Blue Drive is capable of returning a combined 4.3 litres per 100 km and emitting 98 grams of CO2 per km. It’s equipped with the five-speed manual, a start-stop system and only four seats.
