The South Korean car manufacturer's Ford Focus and VW Golf challenger will go on sale in Europe as a five-door hatchback in the Spring of 2012.
Buyers will have a choice of two direct-injection gasoline engines with a displacement of 1.4-liters and 1.6-liters, and two CRDi turbo diesels, again with a displacement of 1.4-liters and 1.6-liters.
All the available engines are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox, while in the case of stronger gasoline and diesel versions Hyundai will also offer an optional six-speed automatic transmission.
For the first time in a Hyundai car of this size, the i30 will be available with a knee airbag for the driver, adaptive headlights, instruments with a high-resolution TFT LCD display and an electric parking brake.
Other available options will include a large panoramic sunroof and an integrated navigation system with a 7-inch color monitor and a rearview camera.
Like its predecessor, the new i30 has been designed and engineered at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany.
The i30's styling represents a further evolution of Hyundai's ‘fluidic sculpture’ form language with both the exterior and interior design modeled closely after the i40 sedan / estate series.
Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre, commented: “The new-generation i30 is recognisable thanks to the Hyundai family face with its signature hexagonal-shaped front grille and the jewel-like design of the headlamps, together with distinctive daytime running lights. These lights present an angular shape within a more softly-edged recess, adding a strong personality to the vehicle, as well as a sense of refinement and luxury.”
“Through the profile of the new generation i30, a strong character line runs over the front and rear wheelarches all the way to the tail lamps. A softer, lower character line rises up the car’s flank creating a play of light and shadow – a fundamental feature of fluidic sculpture,” Thomas Bürkle concluded.
The South Korean automaker said more body styles will be added to the i30's range in the near future, without, however, disclosing any specific details.
The only version of the outgoing i30 that is sold in the United States, is the i30 Tourer marketed as the Elantra Tourer.
