The wraps officially come off Hyundai's brand new Mondeo-size i40 Tourer at the Geneva Motor Show next month, but we've already had the chance to give it the once-over at the firm's European headquarters in Frankfurt.
And buyers won't have to wait too long before they can take a look for themselves, as it's on sale in July, intitally as a distinctive Tourer and followed by a yet-to-be-unveiled saloon in the autumn.
Initial impressions are good. So good in fact that we think it's a car that could re-shape the way that buyers look at large Hyundais, which have have in the past suffered from a dowdy image and had uncompetitive petrol and diesel engines. This European-designed car changes all that and there are several key reasons why.
Emissions are low. Remarkably low. The chain-cam 1.7-litre diesel emits just 113g/km CO2, placing it in road tax band C (£30 per year) and alongside the very cleanest cars of this size. If list prices are sensible (they're yet to be announced), it should make sense as a company car - something that hasn't previously been the case.
In total, there will be three Euro V engines at launch, from 115bhp to 177bhp. The range kicks-off with that 1.7-litre diesel developing 115bhp or 136bhp and that's the one that is set to be the most popular engine. The company's new 136bhp 2.0-litre GDI unit from the ‘Theta' family makes its debut in the i40, which is said to bring 'exceptional levels of performance matched with excellent fuel efficiency.' Finally, there's a 2.0-litre petrol which develops 177bhp.
The interior is also impressive. It looks good and is functional, sharing much with the popular ix35 crossover, and is packed with kit. The dash has a Toyota-like feel about it, while the cheap-looking plastics of the old Sonata are nowhere to be seen. As well as the standard kit you'd expect on a car that's competing with the Avensis, Mondeo and Insignia, the i40 will be available with a self-park function, a heated steering wheel, heated and reclining rear seats and ventilated front seats- specification details that could really appeal to on-the-fence buyers.
Load space is good, too, with full fold-flat seats in the back. That means there's 553 litres with the seats up, or up to 1719 litres with the seats folded flat. The rear appears to offer good levels of head and legroom.
Plus, as with all new Hyundais, it comes with the firm's five year ‘Triple Care' package. That means a five year warranty, five years of breakdown cover and five years of vehicle health checks - something that's won the hearts and mind of buyers from everything from the i10 city car to the ix35 crossover.-honestjohn.co.uk
Technical Specifications
Diesel engines
1.7-litre 115 ps
Type / capacity U-II, DOHC, four-cylinder, with dual CVVT / 1685 cc
Power / torque 115 ps (85 kW) @ 4000 rpm / 260 Nm (26.5kgm) @ 1250-2750 rpm
Emissions 122 g/km (113 g/km when fitted with ISG)
1.7-litre 136 ps
Type / capacity U-II, DOHC, four-cylinder, with dual CVVT / 1685 cc
Power / torque 136 ps (100 kW) @ 4000 rpm / 325 Nm (32,0kgm) @ 2000-2500 rpm
Emissions 124 g/km (119 g/km when fitted with ISG)
Petrol engines
1.6-litre 135 ps
Type / capacity Gamma GDI, four-cylinder, with dual CVVT / 1591 cc
Power / torque 135 ps (99 kW) @ 6300 rpm / 164 Nm (16,8kgm) @ 4850 rpm
Emissions 149 g/km (138 g/km when fitted with ISG)
2.0-litre 177 ps
Type / capacity Theta GDI, four-cylinder, with dual CVVT / 1999 cc
Power / torque 177 ps (130 kW) @ 6500 rpm / 208 Nm (21,7kgm) @ 4700 rpm
Emissions 156 g/km
Suspension & Damping
Front Fully independent subframe-mounted MacPherson struts, with coil springs and gas-filled shock absorbers. Anti-roll stabiliser bar.
Rear Fully independent subframe-mounted multi-links, coil springs and gas-filled ASD shock absorbers.
Steering
Type MPDS (Motor Driven Power Steering)
Gearing 2.88 turns lock-to-lock
Turning circle 5.46 metres
Brakes
Front 320 mm ventilated discs
Rear 300 mm solid discs
Dimensions (mm)
Exterior
Overall length 4770
Overall width 1815 (excluding door mirrors)
Overall height 1470
Wheelbase 2770
Front overhang 920
Rear overhang 1080
Front track 1591
Rear track 1597
Interior Front Rear
Head room 1025 985
Leg room 1170 850
Shoulder room 1455 1420
Capacities
Fuel tank (litres) 70 liters
Luggage 553 / 1719 liters (rear seats up / folded down)
Weights* (manual transmission)
1.7 / 115 1.7 / 136 1.6 / 135 2.0 / 177
Minimum curb (kg) TBC 1485 1385 1410
Maximum (kg) TBC 1610 1510 1540
Performance* (manual transmission)
1.7 / 115 1.7 / 136 1.6 / 135 2.0 / 177
Top speed (kph) 190 198 195 210
0-to-130 kph (sec) 21,3 18.4 19,5 15,3
Economy (manual transmission)
1.7 / 115 1.7 / 136 1.6 / 135 2.0 / 177
Litres / 100 km** 4,3 TBC TBC TBC
CO2 (g/km) 122 124 149 156
CO2 (g/km) with ISG 113 119 138 ----
No comments:
Post a Comment