Hyundai i20

First generation (2008–2014)

The Hyundai i20 uses a completely new platform that was created at Hyundai's European technical centre in Rüsselsheim to allow Hyundai to move into Europe's highly competitive subcompact B-segment. A 2,525 mm (99.4 in) wheelbase helps endow the i20 with a generous passenger cabin. Suspension follows the supermini norm of MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam rear end with rack and pinion steering.

A slightly upgraded version of the i20, called the i-Gen i20, went on sale in India in March 2012 onward with tweaked headlamps, new front grille, tail lamps, and fog lamps. It follows the "Fluidic Sculpture" design philosophy with slightly re-tuned engines. A new next generation model, known as Elite i20 in India, was launched in India on August 11, 2014, and is plan to launch in Europe in 2014 Paris Motor Show.

The i20 is not sold in South Korea, North America, and the Philippines, as those markets have the Accent hatchback. The i20 was discontinued in the Indonesian market in 2012 due to the introduction of the Accent hatchback, which is known there as the Grand Avega.

The i20 is assembled in Turkey (İzmit plant) for the European market (CKD kits from India) and in Sriperumbudur (near Chennai), India for sale in Asia and Oceania.

Engines

The i20 has a total of seven four cylinder engine options. Three are petrol, including the 1248 cc dohc 16 valve "Aditeya" engine, while the rest are diesel engines. Two of the diesel engines are 1396 cc units, one with 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) and 220 N·m (160 lb·ft) and the other a 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) and 220 N·m (160 lb·ft) high power unit. They are joined by two 1582 cc engines having the same dohc and 16-valve top end architecture but delivering either 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) and 156 N·m (115 lb·ft) of torque or 128 PS (94 kW; 126 hp) and 157 N·m (116 lb·ft) of torque.

Hyundai claims that 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) diesel unit can return a class leading 115g/km of CO2 per litre of diesel to go 23.25 km/L (65.7 mpg_‑imp; 54.7 mpg_‑US) (4.3L/100 km) in the European combined driving cycle. All diesel engines and 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines come mated to five-speed manual transmission, there is an option of a four-speed automatic for some 1.4 petrol engined models, the 1.6 is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

In the Indian market, the Hyundai i20 is powered by a 1.2L Kappa engine with 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) power at 5200 rpm and 114 N·m (84 lb·ft) torque at 4000rpm. It also comes with a 1.4L gamma gasoline which has 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) power at 5500 rpm and 139 N·m (103 lb·ft) torque at 4200 rpm, but is mated only to a four-speed automatic transmission. The i20 CRDi diesel has 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) at 4000 rpm and 224 N·m (165 lb·ft) torque between 1750–2750 rpm, and comes with a six-speed manual transmission.

In Australia, the i20 was originally offered as a 1.4 petrol with a $3500 option of the Gamma II G4FC 1.6 petrol engine. The 1.6 makes 91 kW at 6300rpm and 157Nm at 4200rpm. However, with the arrival of the new 1.6 powered Accent in late 2011, the 1.6L option on the i20 has been dropped.

Safety

The Hyundai i20 earned from Euro NCAP a maximum five star safety rating and scored six out of a maximum of seven points in the "safety assist" category, receiving top marks for its belt reminder and electronic stability programme which minimises the risk of skidding by braking individual wheels. The i20 was named one of Euro NCAP's "top five safest cars for 2009", which was based on Euro NCAP's maximum five star awards and their overall score.

The Hyundai i20 features starts with six airbags—for driver and passenger in the front along with side and curtain airbags for rear passengers, whilst the Antilock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) which helps to control in slippery surfaces.

Hyundai i20 has new additions in its safety features like rain sensing wipers and automatic darkness sensing headlamps, central locking, impact sensing auto door unlock, keyless entry along with front and rear fog lamps and advanced engine immobilizer.

Second generation (2014–present)

The second generation Hyundai i20 supermini has a new exterior and interior design, and a new 1.4-litre diesel engine. The car also has a higher ground clearance than before, 170mm as against 165mm of the old i20. The i20 has 285 litres of boot space.

It was launched in August 2014 in India, and in November 2014 in Europe.

Design

The design of the car employs Hyundai's 'Fluidic Sculpture 2.0' design philosophy. The design for the car has been developed at Hyundai's design facilities in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

Some of the design features of the new i20 include trapezoidal fog lamps, black C pillar block, wrap around tail lamps, re-worked headlights and the hexagonal front grille. The interiors feature a black and beige dual tone dashboard, multi – steering mounted audio controls, Bluetooth integrated 2 Din audio with USB and Aux-inputs with 1 GB internal storage, rear AC vents, a dedicated engine start stop button, and automatic temperature control.

Specification

The i20 also has an Antilock Braking System (ABS), four airbags and a reverse parking camera.

Elite i20

Ten variants of the Hyundai Elite i20 have been launched in India, the petrol versions of the car are – the Hyundai Elite i20 ERA 1.2 P, the Hyundai Elite i20 Magna 1.2 P, the Hyundai Elite i20 SPORTZ 1.2 P, the Hyundai Elite i20 SPORTZ (O) 1.2 P and the Hyundai Elite i20 Asta 1.2 P. The diesel variants on offer are the Hyundai Elite i20 ERA 1.4, the Hyundai Elite i20 Magna 1.4 D, the Hyundai Elite i20 Sportz 1.4 D, Hyundai Elite i20 Sportz (O) 1.4 D and the Hyundai Elite i20 Asta 1.4 D.

The i20 is powered by 1.2L Kappa Dual VTVT Petrol Engine and 1.4L U2 CRDi Diesel Engine. The petrol engine produces 83 bhp of power and 115Nm torque. Meanwhile, the diesel engine produces 90 bhp of power and 220Nm torque. The hatchback has safety features such as ABS, rear camera with EOM display, headlamp escort function, reverse parking sensors, and seat belt pretensioners.

i20 Active

The Hyundai i20 crossover, badged as 'i20 Active', was launched in India on the 17th of March, 2015. It is built on the Elite i20 platform and features front, rear and side plastic cladding, along with front and rear aluminum skid plates to add to the butch look of the car. In addition to this, the i20 Active gets cornering lamps, an Advanced Supervision Cluster, aluminum pedals and roof rails, along with a sporty fuel lid.

For the interiors, the i20 Active retains the Elite i20's scheme. However, the color schemes available are different, and customers buying the car in 'Sleek Silver' or 'Polar White' colors get a gray and blue interior, while customers buying the car in 'Earth Brown', 'Retro Shine', 'Red Passion' or 'Phantom Black' colors get a black interior with orange highlights.

For the exterior part of the car, the new additions include the aforementioned body cladding and skid plates, along with roof rails and a new fuel lid. the C-pillar is finished in gloss black, as opposed to the Elite i20's, which is finished in matte black. The ground clearance of the Active has been increased to 190mm, which is a 20mm gain over the Elite's 170mm. The wheels of the car have been redesigned too.

In the performance section, the engines are carried over from the Elite i20. However slight modifications have been made that ensures a 6% percent increase in torque delivery in the petrol engines and 11% increase in torque delivery in the diesel engines. Antilock Braking System is available on the higher models.

The price of the car is ranged from INR 638,000 to INR 889,000.

In most Hyundai showrooms the Active variant is available with fewer colour options to choose from as compared to the Elite.

Motorsport

The Hyundai i20 WRC is a World Rally Car built by Hyundai for use in the 2014 World Rally Championship. It is based on the i20, and was unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, marking Hyundai's return to the WRC after a ten-year absence. The car will be operated by Hyundai's performance division, Hyundai Motorsport from a base in Frankfurt, Germany.

The i20 WRC made its debut at the Monte Carlo Rally in January 2014.