2012 Hyundai I40

Hyundai looks set to transform the way its brand has traditionally been viewed in Europe through the launch of the dynamic all-new Hyundai i40.

Designed and engineered at the company’s European R&D headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the D-segment i40 will move Hyundai towards a ‘modern premium’ positioning on the continent, providing consumers with high-end features and vehicle quality at accessible prices.

Powertrains

The all-new i40 will be available with a choice of four Euro V-compliant engines: two petrol and two diesel. These units cover a power spread of 115 ps to 177 ps, with torque delivery extended across a wide engine-speed range, making the i40 an enjoyable car to drive around town or on the motorway. Manual and automatic transmissions will also be offered.



In a segment where diesel models represent over 75% of total sales in Europe, Hyundai is anticipating that the 1.7-litre diesel unit developing 136 ps will be the most popular engine among both private and fleet buyers. Overall, Hyundai is expecting a 65/35% spread between diesel and gasoline-powered i40 sales.

Hyundai's all new four-cylinder 2-litre GDI engine, called 'Nu', makes its debut in the i40. It delivers higher torque for enhanced driving pleasure, improved fuel economy and reduced emissions and excellent NVH characteristics - similar to the multi-point fuel injected engine.

Equipped with GDI (gasoline direct injection) this 1,999 cc unit generates 177 ps and 213 Nm of torque, ensuring that the i40 brings a good balance between performance and fuel economy. An Hyundai i40 sedan with this engine and a six-speed manual gearbox will accelerate to 100 kph in just 9.7 seconds, record fuel economy figures of 6.8 l/100 km (combined cycle) and achieve a CO2 rating of just 159 g/km.



Eco credentials

In terms of environmental performance, the all-new i40 will feature the latest technologies developed under Hyundai's Blue Drive™ eco-program, including Integrated Stop & Go (ISG), low rolling-resistance tyres and an alternator management system (AMS).

When combined with the 1.7-litre diesel engine developing 115 ps, the inclusion of Blue Drive technology results in the i40 achieving CO2 emissions and fuel economy figures of 113 g/km and 4.3 l/100km, respectively, making the i40 the most environmentally-friendly model in its segment.

Hyundai has continuously highlighted its commitment to lead the way along the road to long-term environmental sustainability for the auto industry, and i40 furthers the company's commitment to delivering models with class-leading eco-performance.



Reduced NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness)

A new acoustic package was developed for Hyundai's diesel powered i40. NVH performance, especially the exterior drive-by noise, is dramatically improved by using experimental methods such as Reciprocal Holography (to visualize noise reduction levels at certain frequency) and ADNA (Advanced Diagnostic Network Algorithm) to rank noise sources in the order of their identified transfer paths.

The NVH package aims to provide a quieter and more comfortable driving environment for diesel vehicles. The new acoustic package in i40 utilizes materials such as air permeable carpet, sound absorbing layers for engine-room encapsulation, and textile wheel-arch liners to absorb noise sources from engine, road, and muffler, providing a 20% improvement in interior noise levels and a reduction in outside engine noise when idling (compared to an i40 without these features).



High-tech features
By offering an extensive standard specification with numerous high-tech features, the high level of equipment in the i40 promises to be one of its key attractions to potential buyers.

High-tech features include smart-parking assist and lane-keeping assist systems, as well as connectivity items like Bluetooth® with voice recognition and full map navigation with rear view camera. In terms of comfort and convenience, the i40 will be available with an electric parking brake, front air ventilation seats, heated and reclining rear seats, as well as new features for the segment like auto-defog system, and a heated steering wheel.

Advanced lighting innovations, such as standard day-time running lights with Xenon headlamps (optional) or a TFT(Thin Film Transistor) LCD supervision instrument cluster, will further strengthen the i40's position as the lead model in Hyundai's line-up and the European D-segment.



Safety

The Hyundai i40 uses the latest active and passive safety technologies to ensure maximum protection for its occupants. Active safety features, fitted as standard in several countries, include ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ABS (anti-lock braking system), Hill Start Assist Control (to prevent roll-back when starting on an incline), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management), Brake Assist System and Emergency Stop Signal.