The model is set to debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March and aims to further shift European consumers’ perception of Hyundai to that of a more high-end manufacturer, thanks to the vehicle’s dynamic design, build quality, performance and technical features. The car will be offered in estate form, with a saloon version following later in the year.
“We have bold ambitions for Hyundai in Europe, and the new i40 will provide the momentum we need to achieve our goals in 2011 and beyond. We expect the quality of the new i40 to continue the development of our image in Europe and attract new customers to the Hyundai brand,” commented Allan Rushforth, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Europe.
The car is the company’s first ever D-segment competitor to be created specifically for European consumers. Designed at Hyundai’s European R&D facilities in Russelsheim, Germany, it follows the ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language, featuring the company’s trademark hexagonal front grille and rakish lines which give the i40 a sporty appearance. The i40 also wants to become the company’s most environmentally advanced model, offering the Blue DriveTM eco-program, and a powertrain line-up which boasts best-in-class performance and fuel economy, together with very low CO2 emissions.
“The i40 perfectly combines the four elements that have become core Hyundai values: practicality, performance, efficiency, and styling. Our designers and engineers have produced a car that encapsulates what European motorists look for in a D-segment vehicle,” Rushforth also stated.
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