Update: Click to read Hyundai i30 Review

Hyundai has adopted a European naming convention for all its future models. Following a similar route as many European manufacturers, Hyundai will drop the current naming convention for all future models (at least in Europe). Currently both Hyundai and sister company Kia, tend to name their vehicles after the cities in which they were manufacturers, such as the Kia Rio and Hyundai Santa Fe.

Nontheless, this is the new Elantra Euro-Hatch. Whilst there is a good chance that it will be still called Elentra by the time it gets to Australia, in Europe, the German designed hatch will be badged as the Hyundai i30.

Much like all other Asian cars, the Hyundai i30 is styled in Europe. This one is drawn up in Hyundai Motor’s European Design & Technical Centre in Russelsheim, Germany.

The i30 hatch is firmly in the Euro-hatch formula of long wheelbase, wide wheel stance and very short and high rear overhang, which keeps overall length sensibly and parkably short in the crush of the continental cities, but maximizes interior room and boot depth.

The Hyundai i30 measures at 4245mm long (260mm shorter and is 10mm narrower and lower than Elantra sedan) and 2650mm wide. Compared with the similar length Holden Astra hatch, i30 is 36mm longer in wheelbase, 20mm taller and 12mm wider.

Buyers in Europe get a choice of 1.4, 1.6 or 2.0 litre petrol engines — all twin-cam, 16-valve CVVTs and three common-rail turbo-diesel powerplants. Australian engines have not yet been finalized. Suspension in i30 is the fully independent configuration seen in Elantra sedan but tuned differently for Europe.

Australia is likely to get a similar setup but further refined to better cosset occupants over our lumpier, bumpier urban roads. We should expect to see the new Elantra towards the end of the year.