Longer, lower and wider than the previous model, New Generation i20 was penned at Hyundai Motor's Design Centre Europe in Rüsselsheim, Germany. The new model's character is inspired by the company's Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy, with elegant lines and a sculptured profile giving it a bold and sophisticated appearance. On the New Generation i20, a Hyundai Motor's key design element hexagonal grille flows into stylish bi-function headlamps with LED daytime running lights.
The New Generation i20 is available with a choice of two Hyundai 'Kappa' gasoline and two 'U-II' diesel power units. These proven powerplants have been carried over from the previous-generation model with a number of improvements to enhance driveability and ensure compliance with new Euro6 emission regulations.
Hyundai's European engineering team, based at the Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, focused on developing powertrains to better suit the demands of the region's buyers. Hyundai engineers tuned each unit to deliver more maximum and low-end (2000 rpm) torque, enabling a more accessible and responsive driving experience day-to-day. As a result, for example, the New Generation i20 can accelerate between 80 and 120 kph faster than before.
Gasoline
Buyers who prefer a gasoline engine can choose the much-praised 1.25-litre 'Kappa' four-cylinder in low power (75 ps) or high-power (84 ps) form. This all-aluminium unit receives a five-speed manual transmission as standard.
Alternatively, petrol buyers can choose a 1.4-litre four-cylinder 100 ps unit. The more powerful engine can be mated to a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox.
Outstanding features of the Kappa engine's modern architecture include dual overhead camshaft (DOHC), dual continuously variable valve timing (CVVT), a very stiff cast aluminium block with cast iron liners, aluminium cylinder head, lighter connecting rods and maintenance-free long-life timing chain.
Diesel
To meet the growing demand for low-emission, high-economy diesel units, Hyundai offers European consumers the choice of two engines from its popular 'U-II' family: the 75 ps, 1.1-litre engine or the 90 ps 1.4-litre powerplant. Both engines are equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Customers of diesel variants of New Generation i20 will notice a reduction in noise thanks to the addition of rubber-coated sprockets, providing a decent improvement over the outgoing model.