The new Hyundai i10 will cost from £8345, the same as the outgoing model, when it goes on sale at the end of January 2014.
At 3665mm long, 1660mm wide and 1500mm high, the Korean company’s new A-segment challenger is 80mm longer, 65mm wider and 50mm lower than the car it replaces.
Unlike its predecessor, which has been on sale for five years, the new-generation i10 is a thoroughly European car. It was designed and engineered at Hyundai’s technical centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and comes off the recently expanded production line in Ízmit, Turkey.
Two petrol engines will be available. A 1.0-litre, three-cylinder produces 65bhp at 5500rpm and maximum torque of 69lb ft at 3500rpm. Mated to a five-speed manual transmission, it covers 0-62mph in 14.9sec and can hit a top speed of 95mph.
A four-cylinder, 1.2-litre engine is also available. It delivers 86bhp at 6000rpm and 89lb ft at 4000rpm. The manual-equipped version of this engine takes 12.3sec to reach 62mph from a standstill and goes on to a top speed of 106mph.
Hyundai has taken steps to improve the noise, vibration and harshness qualities of the new i10 without adding weight. High-tensile steel forms almost 30 per cent of the body structure, compared to the nine per cent utilised in the original car. There are also larger hydraulic mountings for the engine, more sound deadening in the dashboard bulkhead and uprated door seals.
To reduce wind noise, the radio antenna has been moved towards the rear of the roof and the shape of the door mirror mounts has been refined. The new Hyundai i10 has a drag coefficient of 0.31, the lowest in the segment.
Hyundai says a 2385mm wheelbase – five millimetres up on the outgoing car – and wider front and rear tracks have helped to improve ride quality.
Hyundai says the car offers legroom that matches the class best, and the greatest luggage capacity in the sector, with the boot holding 252 litres with the rear seats up and 1046mm with the bench folded.
Three trim levels will be available at launch. Designated S, SE and Premium, they follow the template established by the recently launched Hyundai ix35.
An £8345 price tag will buy a manual transmission S 1.0 which features standard equipment, including cloth and vinyl interior trim, 14in steel wheels, central locking, electric front windows, CD tuner with USB port, daytime running lights, ISOfix points and a tilt-adjust steering wheel. Air-con is a £650 option on this derivative.
The SE trim, which starts at £9295, adds remote central locking, electric rear windows, heated door mirrors, body colour door handles and mirrors, a height adjustment on the driver’s seat and a black B-pillar.
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Priced higher than Kia Picanto
The base model is priced £350 higher than the 5 door Picanto. The Kia gets remote locking and a seven year warranty as standard, as opposed to key central locking a five year warranty and a slightly bigger body. You pays your money...
Only seen one, yeah right,
Only seen one, yeah right, with in excess of 100,000 sold in teh UK, they are everywhere, not just Eastbourne, which as a statement is truly ridiculous.
I suggest that you really stop and look, you will see dozens about, My M-I-L has one, and I managed to get her a deal for £6750, with full tank, mats and mudflaps, not a bad deal, she loves it, and is by far and away better than the S-Reg 206 she had before.
It is quick, nimble, easy to drive and park, has plenty of room in the front and rear, good door openings, wider that some, and teh little 1.2 is a joy, not too economical as she only does local journey's, but better than the 206.
The latest car will come down in price in about 8-12 months and will be better equipped within 12 months of that, the i10 is a great car, and over 100,000 people have found this out too.
Hyundais are starting to get pricey
This is the i10 right, so the micro sector Aygo/Up!/Twingo class. Near £8500 seems quite pricey for the starting block of a budget brand small car. This is the same as the Citigo in 5 doors. I suppose that is who Hyundai think is their main competitor although I have only ever seen 1 on UK roads, there again, I don't live in Eastbourne or Worthing. Hyundai don't quite seem the value car maker they once were unless you get a significant discount .