Overnight Hyundai revealed four new or facelifted models for 2015, including the facelifted 2015 Hyundai i30 which now gets a range-topping 137kW i30 Turbo added to the lineup.
STREAMED LIVE on the internet last night, Hyundai revealed its facelifted 2015 Hyundai i30 and showed its new “Nürburgring-tuned” 137kW i30 Turbo. In essence, this new range-topping i30 is a twin-under-the-skin to the Kia Pro_cee’d GT just with a little less power (137kW Vs 150kW) so as not to interfere with Veloster Turbo sales.
Across the range the i30 gets tweaked engines, a new inhouse-built seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (for diesel models only), enhanced safety and comfort features and some rhinoplasty. There are three bodystyles in the range: three-door, five-door and Tourer. The facelifted i30 range, and new i30 Turbo were designed and engineered at Hyundai Motor‘s European Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany with extensive Nürburgring testing.
In terms of design, the facelifted i30 range gets an “accentuated hexagonal grille”, new alloy wheels and three new exterior paint colours: Polar White, Orange Caramel and Jet Black. But, like most things, it’s what’s on the inside that counts…
The three petrol engines range from a1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol producing 74kW and 134Nm which is available with a six-speed manual transmission only and drinks around 5.6L/100km; to the 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol producing 88kW and 156Nm of torque which is offered with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and consumes 6.3L/100km; through to the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol producing 137kW and 265Nm which gets a six-speed manual only and drinks around 7.3L/100km.
The diesel engine range includes one engine offered in two states of tune. It’s a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel producing 81-100kW and either 280Nm (MT) or 300Nm (7DCT), it’s offered with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Fuel consumption ranges from 3.6-4.4L/100km depending on the transmission.
Hyundai says a range of fuel-saving measures have helped it eke out small gains in efficiency, ranging from 14kg in weight savings for the 1.4-litre petrol engine, to stop/start technology, low-rolling resistance tyres and a drag-reducing ‘active air flap’ in the front grille to improve airflow over the car.
The new 2015 Hyundai i30 Turbo, as mentioned, is a sibling to the Kia Pro_cee’d GT and is, to all intents and purposes the same car. The engine is down on power slightly, but there’s still enough grunt to get from 0-100km/h in 8.0 seconds. To control the added oomph over the non-turbo 1.6L engine, the i30 Turbo gets sports suspension and new 18-inch alloy wheels and more direct steering (2.78 turns lock-to-lock).
Beyond engineering enhancements, the i30 Turbo is differentiated from the i30 range via a new radiator grille, front and rear bumper with red detailing, new front LED head-lights, and twin exhausts. On the inside, it gets sports front seats, sports instrument cluster and contrasting red details on the steering wheel, gear knob and door trims.
Local pricing and final specification will be announced closer to the local launch in early 2015.
