New Hyundai steals a march
[caption id="attachment_36921" align="alignright" width="405"] SPIRITED: The Grand i10 is a jewel in the local Hyundai range with low fuel consumption and a Kappa engine that delivers raised power and torque and enhanced smoothness[/caption]
HYUNDAI continues its march to be one of the top motor vehicle manufacturers in the world with its line-up of top class, affordable cars. Launched last week in bitter weather conditions in the Western Cape, Hyundai's latest offering is the replacement for the popular Getz, but this time it is called the Grand i10.
"We couldn't help drawing comparisons between the new Grand i10 and the Hyundai Getz – a car that was discontinued about four years ago after it reached enormous popularity in South Africa," says Stanley Anderson, marketing director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
"The Grand i10 has everything in its arsenal, and more, to do what the Getz did for Hyundai. Not only is it spacious inside, yet small in overall diameters, but it is filled with standard features that will make it a compelling choice in the entry level segment of our car market."
The Grand i10 is launched in South Africa in three derivatives: the 1.25 Motion manual, the 1.25 Fluid manual (with a slightly higher specification level) and the 1.25 Fluid with a four-speed automatic gearbox. Power comes from a spirited engine which delivers fuel economy.
The 1.25-litre engine belongs to Hyundai Motor's popular "Kappa" engine family and incorporates a range of advanced technical features that raise power and torque and enhance smoothness and driveability. The 1248cc engine delivers 64kW peak power at 6 000rpm and reaches its maximum torque delivery of 120Nm at 4 000rpm.
The power is delivered in a spirited fashion and the small, yet perky engine never gives the impression that it is labouring.
Fuel consumption can be as low as a measured 5.9 litres/ 100km, with emissions of 130g/m in the 1.25 Motion manual and 1.25 Fluid manual derivatives, and 6,9 litres/ 100km with emissions of 147g/km for the 1.25 Fluid with the four-speed automatic gearbox.
What impressed World of Wheels was the amount of rear leg room – it's cavernous! We will go as far as saying its better than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class launched earlier this month.
The larger bodyshell of the Grand i10 yields one of the roomiest occupant cabins on the market, as well as an impressive 256 litres of trunk capacity.
Up to 1 202 litres becomes available when the rear seats are folded – also one of the best in its class. New levels of craftsmanship can be found in the spacious interior.
At a price range from R139900 to R159900, with Hyundai's five-year/ 150000km warranty and roadside assistance thrown in, the Grand i10 offers very good value. The red interior option with a leather cloth combination would add R5000 to the price. A service plan is also an optional item.
The Grand i10 range with their standard recommended retail prices is:
1.25 Motion manual R139900;
1.25 Fluid manual R149900;
1.25 Fluid automatic R159900.
The Getz legend lives on but this time in the guise of the Grand i10.
- Bobby Cheetham
