2012 Hyundai i30 On Sale By Mid-2012 In Australia

2012 HYUNDAI I30

Hyundai has delivered a full rundown on the all-new i30 small car at this week's Frankfurt Motor Show, ahead of its mid-2012 Australian debut.

Showcasing the company's "fluidic sculpture" design language, the arrival of the new i30 leaves only the Santa Fe as the last in the line-up carrying Hyundai's outgoing styling.

The new i30's front draws on the look of the recently-launched Elantra small sedan and, for the higher-end models, also features LED daytime running lamps.

Flared front guards, a steep belt-line and the familiar sharp character lines of Hyundai's newer models gives the 2012 i30 an edgier and more sporting look than its predecessor.

"When designing the next-generation i30, we used strong, fluid lines to sculpt a car which looks athletic and exudes a sense of constant motion, even when stationary," Hyundai's Europe-based Chief Designer Thomas Burkle said.

"We gave the car a bold stance, transmitting a confident attitude through sporty characteristics and dynamic proportions. In this way, the car is very close to the all-new i40, and the Hyundai design DNA is easy to recognise on these models."

In the European market, the new i30 will be offered with three petrol and three diesel engines, with power outputs ranging from 66 kW to 99 kW.

Engine Breakdown

Diesel engines

Petrol engines

Australian powertrain specifications will be revealed closer to the new i30's launch in 2012.

Suspension for the new i30 is managed up front by subframe-mounted MacPherson struts, while the rear end gets a fully-independent multi-link arrangement. There are coil springs and gas-filled shocks at both ends.

The braking package includes 15-inch ventilated discs up front, up to 16-inch discs for up-spec models. All variants have 14-inch solid discs at the rear.

Wheel choices will include 15-inch steel and 15-inch alloys on lower-end models, up to 16- and 17-inch examples.

In size, the new i30 is a touch larger than its predecessor, measuring 5mm longer and 5mm wider. The 2650mm wheelbase remains unchanged, but interior space has shrunk.

Up front, there's 1067mm of leg space, and 880mm in the rear (down 38mm and 10mm). Shoulder room has increased however, measuring 1420mm in the front and 1395mm in the rear (up 15mm and 5mm).

Rear storage capacity has also grown, up from 340 litres with the rear seats up, to 378 litres.

Watch for more details on the new i30's Australian launch to follow in the coming months.

• i30 news and reviews
• Hyundai news and reviews
• Small Car news and reviews
• Family Car news and reviews