Hyundai has launched the new i20 five-door and revealed plans to produce a three-door i20 Coupe, but don’t expect either in Australia before 2016.
With its sights set firmly on the Ford Fiesta and the Volkwagen Polo, Hyundai hopes its new model will expose the brand to an even wider audience after its public debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, before going on-sale in Europe from November. But, don’t expect to see the new i20 in Australia before at least 2016, reports Australian website Motoring.
“The new i20 is available from India but that’s a different car,” Hyundai Motor Company Australia COO John Elsworth told Motoring. “The only car that would suit our market comes from Europe.”
The new i20 has been designed and developed in Europe at Hyundai Motor’s Design Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, with the design dominated by Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design language and is 4035mm long, 1474mm high and 1734mm wide, which makes it 40mm longer, 16mm lower and 24mm wider than before. Key design elements at the front end are the hexagonal grille bi-function headlights with LED daytime running lights.
The dimensional change, courtesy of a new platform, has meant, says Hyundai, that there’s ample room inside for five adults and all their luggage with the boot growing by 31 litres over its predecessor to 326 litres. This grows to 1042 litres with the rear seats folded down. There’s also a double boot floor to conceal items and provide additional storage.
The blacked our C-pillar reminds me of the British Leyland Princess.
Yeah, I kind of see that. Good spot, Jeff.