Hyundai i30 Hybrid Spied Testing?

Two Hyundai i30s have been spied during testing in the US this week, accompanied by a Toyota Prius and Prius V.

Our spy photographers on the ground report the Korean carmaker is testing a petrol-electric hybrid version of its popular small car, likely evaluating a future tilt at the small hybrid market against the current benchmark.

Hyundai had both hatch and wagon variants of its i30 on test. The ‘wagon’ wasn’t the familiar model however, but rather a stretched version of the i30 hatch, suggesting a direct competitor for the Prius V in both powertrain and styling.

Evidence of a hybrid power plant was seen with electronic cables entering the cabin (perhaps carrying data), while the test mules were also pictured refuelling - so an electric motor was unlikely to be the sole source of momentum.

Toyota Prius