Hyundai’s i20 supermini won’t be a familiar face for
those on North American soil, however, it has a strong following in European and Asia Pacific markets.
Luckily for those regions, they will soon see a completely revamped version
with more upmarket ambitions. So how will it look and what else can we expect? Let’s take an
illustrated first look before the official covers are lifted on Hyundai’s newest
small hatch.
The current i20 is a fairly pleasant-looking
supermini that won’t offend the masses. For 2020 this approach will be turned
on its head. It adopts Hyundai’s latest design ethos as seen on the sporty new
Sonata and Elantra; and the result is well, rather angular. Frontal styling is dominated by a
large cascading grille flanked by sharp LED headlights and triangular fog light
housings.
A crisp, deep-sculptured shoulder line runs from the
trailing edge of the headlights to the rear taillights, whilst the side DLO
(daylight opening area) is upright and airy. The rear is relatively inoffensive
with horizontal LED tail lights and deep creases. Whilst Hyundai have retained the
i20’s compact dimensions and five-door layout, occupants will benefit from
improved packaging (especially in the rear) and a higher quality cabin.
On the technology front, buyers can look forward to
a large infotainment system with SatNav, bluetooth streaming, Android Auto and
Apple CarPlay. A plethora of driver-assistance aids will be available too;
lane-keeping aid, driver attention alert including front and rear automated
emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention monitor.
The pint-sized supermini is expected to carry over
the 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol from the current car and also offer a
turbocharged, 1.0-litre three-cylinder in different states of tune. Select
global markets like India are tipped to receive diesel variants too. Power will
be fed to the front wheels via either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch
automatic. For those who like a pocket rocket, the i20 is rumored to come with
an N-performance variant. Conjecture has this model utilizing a 200+ hp,
1.6-litre turbocharged four to battle the likes of Volkswagen’s Polo GTI and
Ford Fiesta ST.
With crisp new styling, added technology and
improved refinement,the i20 is now gunning for class heavyweights like
Volkswagen’s Polo, Ford Fiesta, Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, Renault Clio, Suzuki
Swift, Honda Jazz/Fit, Peugeot 208, Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris. It’ll be sold in 5 door and
high-riding ‘Active’ guises, however, don’t expect the 3-door variant to
re-appear for this generation. A reveal is tipped for later in the year, with
sales starting early 2020.
