By Derek Ogden
BE AFRAID, be very afraid: that seems to be the message Hyundai is sending out to rivals of its best-selling i30 after the hatchback became Australia’s favourite vehicle for the first half of the year.
Almost straight away the South Korean car maker fired a further shot across the small-car market bow by adding upgrades to the sporty Series II SR and SR Premium variants.
Now it has taken the wraps off the next generation i30, to hit the streets early next year, which it says digs deep into the Hyundai DNA and is touted as a car for everyone.
In the meantime, leading off the latest makeover of the current i30 are a new design of 17-inch, grey-metallic machined-face alloy wheels and red-on-black interior with leather-appointed sports bucket seats, while SR variants with Hyundai’s six-speed automatic transmission now come standard with steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifts.
Slotting in the Series II range mid-market the i30 2.0 SR petrol manual sells for $26,550 ($28,850 automatic) and the i30 2.0 SR Premium petrol manual for $31,250 ($33,550); plus on-road costs in both cases.
The SR six-speed automatic was the test vehicle.
Styling is straight off the Hyundai playlist with the i30 Series II featuring a deep front grille that closely aligns it with its upmarket, Fluidic Sculpture 2.0-designed Sonata and Genesis stablemates.
Hyundai’s panoramic glass sunroof is now available as an option on i30 SR, remaining standard on the SR Premium.
The i30 Series II SR range now features an upgraded sports interior, with black leather upholstery, red inserts on seat bolsters, and red stitching on the seats, steering wheel, and front door armrests.
Front sports bucket seats with extended bolsters not only add to the visual impact, but also provide more lateral support for the driver and front passenger during enthusiastic driving.
Dark grey-metallic interior trim highlights replace the previous silver trim highlights in all variants, and the headlining is now black (previously grey).
A striking red push-button start surround trim replaces the previous silver trim surround.
SR, SR Premium variants retain Hyundai’s 7.0-inch touchscreen satellite-navigation system with CD-player.
Hyundai i30 Series II’s petrol engine line-up is Euro 5 compliant.
Both the 2.0 GDi (SR and SR Premium) petrol engines are available with either six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.
Electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, vehicle stability management, along with a full suite of airbags have earned the 130 Series II a five-star ANCAP safety rating
Keyless entry and push-button engine start make for a welcome more normally found in vehicles of pedigree beyond the small passenger variety.
The tried and tested free-revving 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engine had the Series II SR in full flight on the open road with fuel consumption of 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres on a motorway run. Around town it gulped almost twice as much (9.4 litres).
The sports seats look good and held occupants comfortably yet firmly during ride and handling expected of a vehicle whose suspension was given a thorough workout by Aussie engineers.
A generous cargo area offers ample space for shopping or luggage and loading is made easy by a high-lift tailgate and low lip.
The Hyundai i30 Series II continues to make its mark on the Australian small-car market, made even more appealing to European-style sporty hatchbacks.
The next generation, just unveiled, appears set to continue the trend.
The Hyundai range is available for test drive at Berwick Hyundai, 34 Kangan Drive, Berwick. Phone 9707 1212.
Model range
Hyundai i30 Series II 1.8 Active petrol $21,450
Hyundai i30 Series II 1.8 Active X petrol $22,590
Hyundai i30 Series II 2.0 SR petrol $26,550
Hyundai i30 Series II 2.0 SR Premium petrol $31,250
Hyundai i30 Series II 1.6 Active CRDi $24,050
Hyundai i30 Series II 1.6 Active X CRDi $25,190
Hyundai i30 Series II 1.6 Premium CRDi $35,190
