Hyundai i10 on location-24

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.

Hyundai i10 on location-07

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.