Geneva 2011: Hyundai i40
- Better quality and desirability
- Currently an estate, but saloon will follow
- Replacement for the Sonata
Hyundai is looking to shed its budget image with the new i40, unveiled today at Geneva. The Korean firm claims that its new estate model offers class leading quality, performance and technical features, so it will go head-to-head with the likes of the Ford Mondeo and the Volkswagen Passat in the UK.
What's all the fuss about?
This is the replacement for the Hyundai Sonata, which was an affordable but low rent saloon car - and has never gone down particularly well in the UK.
The i40 has far superior build quality, and it's certainly better looking, so Hyundai hopes that this car will raise its profile in the UK and Europe and help it to be seen as a serious rival to established European models.
Anything that stands out?
The i40 will initially be available as an estate only, with a saloon variant following later in 2011. It will also feature a number of Hyundai's 'Blue Drive' features to help push down emissions and improve fuel economy.
Expect aerodynamically efficient bodywork, a stop-start system and gear shift indicators. The i40 is also likely to have a better standard specification than established rivals like the Ford Mondeo and it will probably undercut them on price, too.
Estimated release date: Mid-2011
Estimated cost: From £18,000
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