Hyundai reveals new i30

Hyundai has revealed its most important new model - the next generation i30.

Unveiled in Europe, where it was designed and developed, the new i30 spearheads the South Korean brand's range as its most popular model and debuts a new styling direction.

The new i30 features a "cascading grille" which will be rolled out across the range as Hyundai's new family face. But it isn't just for show with an Active Air Flap hidden behind the grille to improve the i30's aerodynamics at speed.

At the back, the roofline tapers sharply to create a short rear overhang and the taillights bare a striking resemblance to those on the latest Volkswagen Golf.

The design team for the car was led by Peter Schreyer, the former Audi designer credited with turning around Kia's styling and now also Hyundai chief design officer.

"Our designers are driven by passion and enthusiasm bringing pride and joy to Hyundai owners," Schreyer explained. "You see and feel this new spirit in the Next Generation i30 – it is a proud statement."

The i30 has also been redeveloped under the skin with a new range of engines which will included turbocharged petrol motors for Australian model's for the first time.

Although the Australian lineup for the car has yet to be finalised Hyundai's local division has released some basic information on what we will receive.

The current 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the Active and Active X models will be replaced by the 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit found in the current SR range.

The entry-level models will get an automatic transmission as standard but a more simplistic torsion beam rear suspension set-up.

The 1.6-litre turbo diesel, currently available on the Active, Active X and Premium specification models, will remain in service too.

The SR range will replace its old engine with a new 1.6-litre turbo petrol motor paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It will also get a more sophisticated independent rear suspension system to improve its ride and handling.

As featured by Drive recently, the new i30 has been tested extensively in Australia and the suspension for both models will be tuned for local conditions.

Hyundai also confirmed that the first product of its N performance car range will be based on the i30 and debut in 2017, sitting above the SR.

The new i30 will also be available with the latest active safety features including autonomous emergency braking, driver fatigue monitoring, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist and speed limit recognition technology.

Final pricing and specification for the new i30 will be released closer to the car arriving in Australia in the second quarter of 2017.

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