All set to make debut in 2017, Hyundai’s new premium hatchback i30 which was first showcased at 2011 Frankfurt motor show. Exactly five years later, the car will have its debut at the 2016 Paris motor show in October. The good news is that it will be come in three body styles- a four door coupe, a five door hatchback and an estate model while bad news is India might get only the conventional five door model if launched. The idea of three door body style will be dropped owing to poor sales volumes.
The i30 is basically the hatch version of current Gen Elantra sold internationally and slated to launch in India towards the end of this year. Called as Elantra GT in several markets, it has already spotted on test runs at Nurbugring race track in Germany. Adding to it, the South Korean car maker might also launch performance pack variant dubbed as i30 N.
The deemed hatch version will be based on company’s evolved fluidic 2.0 design philosophy and interiors will be shared with new Elantra. Like interior and exterior, powertrains may also be shared with new Gen Elantra like 1.6l petrol that makes 180PS power and 1.6l CRDi diesel engine. While the N performance version will get a 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder petrol engine, linked with a six speed manual gearbox and propels car to reach 250km/hr as top speed.
If i30 gets decent response, could be considered for the Indian market, nonetheless the company will launch Elite i20 automatic, Tucson SUV and Next Gen Elantra in India this year followed by new Eon hatch in next two years. Adding up, India’s most loved hatch Santro will also be making its comeback to the Indian market by 2018.
