Hyundai to debut three-door i30 hatchback at Paris Motor Show
Hyundai has announced that it is formally presenting the new-generation i30 three-door hatchback at the 2012 Paris Motor Show next week. Naturally stamped with the Korean carmaker's "fluidic sculpture" design language, this car is the third i30 version to hit the global market--after the five-door hatchback and the five-door wagon.
The three-door i30 comes with a choice of six engines and a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The cream of the powertrain crop, according to Hyundai, is the 1.6-liter diesel engine rated at 126hp.
Among the main features of this three-door car are: a more angular glasshouse silhouette; longer front doors; a more dynamic profile; a new, black-finished mesh insert and central bar for the hexagonal grille; new, sportier foglamp clusters; LED daytime running light strips; a new lower front bumper; a remodeled lower rear bumper; exclusive 16-inch alloy wheels; optional orange interior trim color; and optional orange stitching on the steering wheel, shift knob and door armrest.
Obviously, the i30 is designed mainly for the European market. Hyundai Asia Resources once tried to sell this model in the Philippines, but it performed well below expectations--pricing was largely to blame. And with the Elantra now in the current Hyundai product lineup in our market, there's a much lesser chance we will see an i30 comeback.
But just assuming Hyundai could bring this three-door i30 hatchback here, would you be interested?
