Hyundai i30 diesel on track for another Targa win

By Matt Brogan | August 17th, 2009

Following its success last year, the Hyundai i30 SX CRDi will aim to retain its crown as class winner of the ‘Modern Challenge’ category in this year’s 2009 QUIT Targa West tarmac rally.

This year’s competition sees a record 99 vehicles entries, with the ‘Modern Challenge’ category attracting an 9 impressive competitors including a Nissan GTR 35, a Ferrari 575M GTC, a Subaru Impreza WRX STI and an Audi S4.

“We really love hitting the tarmac in the i30 CRDi,” said driver Razvan Vlad, the WA based environmental specialist who steered the i30 to success last year. “The production standard Australian suspension and steering set-up is a great match for the course whilst its Green Diesel engine also reduces the vehicle’s impact on the environment. With a wider entry field, the competition is going to be fierce.”

Genuine Hyundai Accessories are fitted to the production i30 SX CRDi Green Diesel including alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. Apart from the fitment of semi-slick tyres, upgraded front brake pads and safety equipment to meet competition requirements, the car is completely standard.

Hyundai’s 2009 entry is again a collaborative initiative between Hyundai Motor Company Australia, supplying the vehicle, and the Western Australian Hyundai Dealer network, which will support the event with technicians and a professional race support team.

“After winning the Modern Challenge category last year, the Hyundai team is determined to repeat its success!” said Heinz Wiesner, Regional General Manager – Western Region. “A win would crown what has been a tremendous year of sales growth for Hyundai in WA.”

Say no to Diesel

Why would anyone waste time and money on diesel?
http://Caradvice.com.au Baddass

Diesels have many positive attributes in city driving (which is where most of them spend their time). Better performance in the low rev range (good for overtaking) and better fuel economy, to name a few. I realise that diesels lack the aural quality of a petrol engine, but this an i30 we\’re talking about, not a Ferrari. Besides, the engine note of an i30 is not something you would be pining for.
Tack

What does class winner of the ‘Modern Challenge’ mean?
This Hyundai i30 SX CRDi beats all other competitors?
Even driver is not professional racing driver?
CA, are you saying this is number one car in Modern Challenge class?
Was this car better than Nissan GTR 35, a Ferrari 575M GTC, a Subaru Impreza WRX STI and an Audi S4 in this race?

If so, what kind of race is “2009 QUIT Targa West tarmac rally”?
Or simply this i30 is great car? We all underestimate this car?
Howie-R31

Tack,
I was wondering the same sort of thing. For a Hyundai I30 to beat them sort of cars it must have an awesome driver behind the wheel and some poor drivers behind the wheel’s of the other vehicles.
Jimmy

Must have been average competition last year to be the winner of its class. What did it win against? A Subaru Fiori?
Carl

The wife and i are picking up her new i30 diesel wagon on Wednesday and we can’t wait to start saving big bucks on fuel, tyres and servicing compared to the vehicle we traded….. A full of rattles, heavy, bulky 2005 V6 Holden Adventura that a previous partner forced her to buy!!!!!!
Robin Graves

Last year it beat a porsche 911 early ’80s model – and some other car I cant remember. And yes, Razy is a bloody good driver too. And all you ignorant people who are knocking diesel’s sporting ability, who won LeMans every single time since 2006? An Audi diesel….
Carl

I’ve noticed comments that a reasonable person would consider totally wrong get their voting bars deleted…..what’s up with that CA???????
http://Caradvice.com.au Baddass

I think it was probably some sort of glitch, affecting random comments Carl, not deleting voting bars through moderating.
DGS

Brian Hay,

Dare you to walk into a roadhouse full of Truckies and declare that.

Have you even driven a modern European style diesel car or is this an opinion you have formed based on no facts at all?

If you are a Ford / Holden man who renounces evrything else on principle, prepare to be betrayed, Holden, and possibly Ford are looking at adding Diesel power to their Australian Built line up (as an option).
DGS

….. Further more, the WANKle rotory engine is petrol, not Diesel. Just ask any Ro80 owner.
pugphile

Guys…just check out the 2009 Le Mans results….it just shows how far diesel has come in motorsport TDI’s in the first three spots and the fourth spot belongs to a petrol powered vehicle some 9 laps behind !
Tack

Yeah….But we are not stupid enough to compare with diesel powered racing cars, which designed for Le Mans from Peugeot and Audi and this i30.
Nightshifter

Have to agree with Tack. Purpose built Diesel racing car cannot be compared with this i30 which is most likely in the showroom category(doesn’t even have a roll cage and can’t see a single bit of performance modification)
Sumodog

Modern diesels are great. I drive one from VW stable and it is a ripper.Excellent fuel economy is a bonus but they are fun to drive too.
Googly

Nicely said!^^

Small cars and DIEsels don’t really mix, pointless and expensive exercise.

Take the golf for instance, since this new *downsizing* has all become the rage, these small turbo petrol engines fly, yet use fuel is tiny, almost the same as a DIEsel, bugger all difference.

Then you need to pay $2500 more for a DIEsel and more for the fuel, don’t get me started on the greasy smelly fuel nozzle and hoses, and concrete floor, at the servo either.

YUK!

“A FOOL AND HIS MONEY……..”
Sumodog

A fool and his keyboard . So you refil your petrol car at deodorised and carpeted petrol station ? All fuel types stink !
It is not my job to educate but some would do well with a bit of horizon expanding and mind openining excercises…
LPG-RULES

@slumdog^

Well, NO!

LPG does NOT have any smell in manufactured form, aroma is added to it so that in the very very small chance of a leak it can be smelt.

Oh, and you CANNOT spill LPG as its a gas, even though its pumped into your tank as a liquid.

Best dang Aussie made fuel in the WORLD!
Sumodog

So it still stinks.
When BMW or VW make an LPG car i ‘ll buy one . Until than it is a taxi fuel.
LPG-RULES

VW already make numerous factory fitted, google and refer to the VW Offical Press Releases:

“New Golf Plus BiFuel now available for order

LPG version reduces CO2 emissions by over 10%
Safer and more durable than conversions
The Golf Plus now also runs on LPG. Thanks to the use of this alternative fuel, a reduction of more than 10% in CO2 emissions and fuel savings of €6.10 per 100 kilometres* in LPG mode could also be achieved, due in part to the reduced German fuel tax in place until 2018. All in all, a solid argument.

With its bi-fuel drive system – which can run on petrol at the flick of a switch – the new Golf Plus lowers consumption and emissions: the 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engine with 72 kW / 98 PS needs an average of 9.8 litres of LPG per 100 kilometres (159 g/km CO2). When burning petrol, the Golf Plus BiFuel is even more economical (7.5 litres of Super, 179 g/km CO2) over the same distance.

This gives the LPG-powered Golf Plus an environmental edge, namely CO2 emissions more than 10% lower than those of comparable petrol-engined vehicles. The 55-litre petrol tank and the LPG tank, which has a usable volume of 43 litres and is built into the spare wheel well to save space, provide an extended range of more than 1,100 kilometres. The LPG tank alone has a range of about 440 kilometres. LPG filling station coverage is comprehensive in Europe – in Germany alone there are more than 4,700 stations.

The factory-installed solution for the new Golf Plus BiFuel is considerably more advantageous than an LPG conversion: to name just a couple of benefits, the vehicle has been subjected to extensive endurance testing and undergone crash testing with the LPG tank, making it extremely safe. Customers receive a full warranty for the entire vehicle, LPG components included. The new Golf Plus BiFuel is now available for order in the Trendline and Comfortline versions at an entry-level price of €22,460.

Last updated: 9th June 2009 / Average price of LPG per litre in Germany is €0.62″

All VW’s pertol commecial range has LPG option too.

Not sure where BMW is at, but you can fit LPG to ANY car even a Lamborghini, 102 Octane to boot!

http://memoirsmultimedia.com.au Michael Gersch

Yes LPG-Rules. Great to read a sensible informed comment regarding LPG. Dr Sparke who was formerly chief of innovation at GM Holden, has quite correctly pointed out the advantages of LPG, but has largely be ignored by the politicians, and by the general public. Diesel is just plain stupid. It’s dirty with carcinogenic particulates. Its smelly both as the liquid and as exhaust fumes. Its imported- crazy for our balance of payments and security. Diesel vehicles are at such a premium that they rarely are cheaper to run overall (check the RACV yearly vehicle costs to verify this). Diesel generally produces more CO2 than an equivalent petrol or LPG vehicle. Many people confuse low fuel consumption with low emissions. Bio-Diesel may be a better option but if agricultural land is used in the production then its a very bad choice. As an interim fuel until green (sustainable power source- not coal!) electric cars are available, LPG has many advantages. I’ll be interested to see the details of the LPG Hybrid that Hyundai is bringing out. And yes, a modern diesel car can be a very responsive and engaging drive, but so too can a high tech liquid injection LPG car- HSV think so too. Better still, lets develop an efficient mass transit system- maybe then we will have a liveable world left for our grandchildren.

http://www.crossomotive.com crossomotive

I think it really has a good chance
Robin Graves

Nightshifter, it does have a rollcage, plus a few other minor tweaks (brakes and suspension) to keep it in the required category. I agree its in a totally different league to the Audi, but the Audi proves that diesels can be made to go hard, and that just because its a diesel does not immediately disproves any chance of beating anything.

Tack, we are not stupid enough to do that – the result comes on race day. Keep it in context it is just the same as having a stock base model Mazda3 or Corolla, just proving that a diesel can have a go too, and use less fuel in the process.

Googly, go and drive a modern small diesel like a Golf, Mazda3, Focus or i30. The diesel is much better to drive than the base model petrol engines (except the sporting Golf GTi petrol which is turbo’d and supercharged) The diesels have much more torque and dont need to be revved like a windmill in a hurricane to go up a hill.
Ben

Did anyone bother to check any facts with this article?

He didn’t win, he finished 7 out of 8 and the car in 8th had problems.

It was the slowest car most stages.

If they are claiming a class within challenge win, they were the only car in their class M1C1.

See here.
http://www.targawest.com.au/RESULTS/LegDailyResults2008/tabid/96/Default.aspx
Tack

Thanks Ben very much!!!!
That’s information I’ve looking for.
And totally make sense !!!
This car didn’t win at all, it just finished race !!!!
Nightshifter

I think ppl are missing the point here.

Modern diesel small cars are goooooood for day to day drive, but a stock i30 diesel competing with performance petrol models for another win????? I really don’t get this.
Chris

Ben, your link does not work, but I remember that there were three cars in this class last year – one crashed out on the first day and the i30 was quicker than the other one in the end.

Why don’t you check out the results for this year, they finished 3rd, well ahead of a few performance petrol cars!
robd

what this doesn’t state is the ECU in the i30 was reprogrammed to get something like another 80NM of torque and 20kw of power.