A new Hyundai i20 has just gone on sale, winning acclaim from road testers and reviewers. Daniel Daly of Daly's Hyundai explains why he is so excited about the latest addition to the range
WITH the launch of its latest model, the New Generation i20, Hyundai is continuing its successful presence in
a part of the market where it has sold around 150,000 cars in the UK since 2002.
The original i20 was one of the company's bestselling cars, and we hope the new model will open it up to an even wider audience.
Designed and developed in Europe, and built in a state-of-the-art factory in Turkey, the new i20 has class-leading interior space, is loaded with the latest technology, such as lane departure warning, and has a clean, refined design.
Sitting alongside cars like the new i10 and ix35, the arrival of the latest i20 means every Hyundai model on sale in Ireland has been renewed in the last five years.
The new i20 is longer, lower and wider than the last car, its elegant lines and sculptured profile giving it a bold and sophisticated appearance.
The wheelbase has been extended by 45 millimetres to 2,570mm to create more space for occupants.
Class-leading interior space - 1,892mm combined front and rear legroom - makes the New Generation i20 a true five-seater, while outstanding boot capacity of 326 litres maximises its versatility.
Driver and passenger comfort has been a priority, and the cabin features extensive use of soft-touch materials, as well as subtle piano black inserts and chrome detailing, to create a modern and sophisticated interior package.
Front and rear parking sensors, a heated steering wheel, cornering headlamps and an automatic defog system are available for the first time in a Hyundai of this size.
A lane departure warning system, an innovative feature normally found in larger cars, can also be fitted to the i20, as can a first-in-class panoramic sunroof, which is able to both tilt and fully open. Three petrol and two diesel engines are available, with a high-tech 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine due to join the line-up later this year. It punches hard above its weight, producing up to 118bhp and 127lb/ft.
The New Generation i20's driving experience has been fine-tuned to ensure strong performance on everything Irish roads can throw at it.
Hyundai's confidence in its build quality means every new i20 comes as standard with the company's industry-leading five year unlimited mileage warranty.
This support package also includes five years of roadside assistance and five years of vehicle health checks.