Hyundai Considering Souped-up i30, i40 Variants: Report
Rumours of a turbocharged Hyundai i30 are building, with reports out of the UK this week suggesting that hot versions of both the small hatch and the larger i40 are on the table for discussion.
Speaking with Britain's Autocar magazine, Hyundai
Rumours of a turbocharged Hyundai i30 are building, with reports out of the UK this week suggesting that hot versions of both the small hatch and the larger i40 are on the table for discussion.
Speaking with Britain's Autocar magazine, Hyundai Europe boss Allan Rushforth reportedly confirmed that both cars are under consideration.
"We have talked about such cars and are considering versions not only with more performance, but dynamic improvements to ride and handling, too," Rushforth is quoted by Autocar.
He added that with the company primarily focused on developing images of reliability and green thinking, there is also a need for models to "bring our company to life". Think Genesis Coupe and the Veloster Turbo.
In the case of the Veloster, the turbocharged version of Hyundai's 1.6 litre direct-injected 'Gamma' engine is a new direction for the Korean carmaker, and it won't be the first of the company's small engines to get forced induction.
“We recognise the attributes in bringing down emissions and improving low-end performance with turbo engines,” Rushforth said. “We are working on this technology; watch this space."
In the case of the i30, the 1.6 turbo engine would be enough to make the hatch a rival for the current Golf GTI (although perhaps not the next) in the power stakes, delivering 152kW and 265Nm of torque.
Rushforth added that Hyundai will roll out more models with its new double-clutch transmission - which debuted in the Veloster - in 2013. If a turbo i30 is on the way, expect it sometime after then.
0
