Although the 2014 Paris Motor Show will open its doors almost two months from now on (October 2nd), the South Korean manufactured couldn't wait that long to officially reveal the second-generation i20 supermini. So what kind of goodies does it pack?
First and foremost, we need to highlight a certain aspect about the outgoing generation. Although Hyundai developed and designed it with the European B-segment buyer in mind, a limited range of powerplants, the plasticky interior and slightly dull exterior styling are considered by many to be the i20's Achilles' heels. That's why the typical customer thinks about the Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, Renault Clio or Opel Corsa as prime options.
Nevertheless, the South Korean carmaker has enjoyed near to one million sales in Europe since the year 2002, so the brand is slowly but surely getting better in this game. Designed and developed in Europe, it's clear as day that the 2015 Hyundai i20 has been specially made to open the model to an even wider audience. Before engineers and designers started to make things happen, three key attributes were penned by the higher-ups in order to meet the needs of the typical European buyer.
These are a more refined design, a host of high-tech and comfort-enhancing features, as well as offering class-leading interior space. Riding on an all-new platform, the new-gen Hyundai i20 boasts with a 45 mm longer wheelbase than before (2,570 mm in total). Thanks to those extra millimeters, Hyundai is adamant that the i20 is able to seat five adults in comfort. With a best-in-class combined front and rear legroom of 1,892 mm and a segment-leading boot capacity of 320 liters with the rear seats upright, the second-gen i20 shapes up to be a practical little motor.
In terms of creature comforts, Hyundai boasts that the panoramic sunroof option is unique in this class. Able to both tilt and fully open, it fills the cabin with natural light and fresh air. Further features add to the refinement and convenience of the new i20, including integrated rear-view camera and front and rear LED lighting. The brand's Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 styling philosophy features a bold front fascia design with a low, upright chrome-framed hexagonal grille. A thin, horizontal grille connects the front headlamp clusters, which includes bi-function projection headlamps, LED daytime running lights and LED positioning lamps. A lower grille houses the front fog lamps, emphasizing the stance of the car.
In total, the five-door hatchback's body shell measures 4,035 millimeters in length and it incorporates a single feature-line running from front to rear, as well as sculptured undercuts of the body panels and a waistline moulding at the base of the doors. As for the rear fascia, the 2015 Hyundai i20 gets a gloss black C-pillar that masks the car's bulk by giving the impression of a floating roofline. The lamp clusters wrap around the rear wing into the boot lid and feature a boomerang-shaped LED design.
No words yet on price or engine lineup, but we have a hunch that the entry-level model's MSRP won't be too different from the current i20. In terms of firepower, we expect to get the same old three and four-cylinder petrol and diesel-fed mills as before, but with added eco-friendliness to them. Last but not least, check out the ad below. Although it has made its debut in India today, the commercial features a few Romanian elements: a Dacia Sandero that ultimately meets its end in the Dambovita river, as well as actors Alina Puscas and Adrian Nartea. We don't know what to say about a Dacia Sandero chasing the second-gen Hyundai i20 on the streets of Bucharest, but hey, marketing has its ups and downs.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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