New generation Hyundai i30

bazz26

Hyundai have just released photos of the second generation i30 hatchback. The Koreans really seem to be narrowing the gap between them and more established brands, this and being backed up by very comprehensive warranties really has to start asking questions of the others. I like the styling and think it looks nicer than the new Focus though it looks like they looked at the Focus interior for inspiration there.




Any thoughts?

Berty

That dash may look nice in the pictures but it is made from some truly cheap materials.

Other than that. WOW that is a nice looking car.

colm_mcm

If it gets the 1.7 twin turbo diesel from the ix35 it'll be a cracker.

They've come so far in the last 10 years.

bazz26

Hard to judge from a brochure photo but the quality of the dashboard to me doesn't look any worse than the current Focus or Astra.

I can really see this selling well here and knock Paddy's obsession with the likes of Toyota. I think the days of Toyota selling any old yoke with a Corolla/Auris badge on it here maybe over.

colm_mcm

Agreed on the toyota thing, they made a bags of the auris. They offer a 4wd version in south Africa. A flagship 2.0 d-4d awd model and a decent interior would make it somewhat desirable. Frustrating that they have an independent rear suspension setup and an awd drivetrain but they're too blind to put them on an irish spec.

They'll pay the price eventually.

-Corkie-

I take it thats the top spec model in the pics even so its 100 miles better than the Auris.

bazz26

Yeah, the father bought a 09 UK Auris 1.33 litre TR there recently and there was no talking to him on anything else. He had my old 03 Avensis for over 4 years so stuck with another Toyota despite my efforts to get him to look at the Ceed and i30 which were cheaper to buy.

I drove the Auris and hate it, almost MPV like in size, no feel from it at all, lots of plastic on the inside, interior door handles and hand brake leaver were gimicy.

colm_mcm

It's the golf it has to beat.


Example: I sold my cousin a 3 year old mk5 golf 1.4 cl. It was in for the inevitable warranty work and I have him an i30 deluxe 1.6 crdi 110 for the 2 days.
He loved the ipod interface, the power, the refinement and the equipment.
I asked him if he'd consider one as his next car.

'It's not a golf, I can't explain it' was his reply.
If Hyundai can nail the interior plastics, and instill a !n air of quality then they may succeed.

bazz26

Its a mind set thing drilled in to people over years of successful brand marketing.

Same with TVs for years, a Sony Trinitron was the holy grale of tvs to have and buy back in the 1980/1990s, Sony knew this and charged a premium for them. These days a Toshiba or Panasonic, etc are better but some people will still only consider Sony.

ofcork

Is it just me or are many of these cars starting to look the same and all manufacturers copy others ie indicators in mirrors/drls etc?

pajo1981

bazz26 wrote: »

Its a mind set thing drilled in to people over years of successful brand marketing.

Same with TVs for years, a Sony Trinitron was the holy grale of tvs to have and buy back in the 1980/1990s, Sony knew this and charged a premium for them. These days a Toshiba or Panasonic, etc are better but some people will still only consider Sony.

Toshiba or Panasonic? Samsung are were it's all at these days.

as for the car.

Meh... unoriginal styling and cheap looking interior.

murphm45

colm_mcm wrote: »

They've come so far in the last 10 years.

i couldn't agree with this more but the reason appears to be that they're pouring money into R&D

Also for what it's worth these appear to be made in Europe (this seems to make a difference to some people!)

Personnally not my cup of tea but it is quite reminisent of the new Astra so (in theory at least) it should do well.

for anyone with an interest this might be worth a read: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14306932

headmaster

I'm considering an Hyundai i40, exec model, with a '05 Kia Sportage diesel full spec 4wd trade in, mileage 115,000 kms. Wondering what i might be expected to pay. Can anyone help?

Nissan doctor

murphm45 wrote: »

i couldn't agree with this more but the reason appears to be that they're pouring money into R&D

Also for what it's worth these appear to be made in Europe (this seems to make a difference to some people!)

Personnally not my cup of tea but it is quite reminisent of the new Astra so (in theory at least) it should do well.

for anyone with an interest this might be worth a read: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14306932

I personally would rather they were made in Korea, IMO they have more pride and quality of workmanship when they are making their own product. Similar to Japanese brands, The japanese built cars a vastly better and more problem free then the european built versions/models.

colm_mcm

Given that you're a doctor of Nissans, do you not think that the European Nissans not being as good as the jap stuff is more down to design and component suppliers than workmanship in the assembly line?

pajo1981

Nissan doctor wrote: »

The japanese built cars a vastly better and more problem free then the european built versions/models.

Come on now, does it really matter in what country a mostly automated factory with identical QC processes is located?

Nissan doctor

colm_mcm wrote: »

Given that you're a doctor of Nissans, do you not think that the European Nissans not being as good as the jap stuff is more down to design and component suppliers than workmanship in the assembly line?

Not so much the design but definitely the component suppliers and assembly line quality control. If I'm honest probably more to do with the parts suppliers, but that still makes my point about where I'd rather they were made.

With regard to Nissans, American built 350z's suffer more problems then Japanese built ones, Japanese built Primeras don't suffer window regulator or timing chain problems like European built ones do....etc etc

Maybe Hyundai won't be the same...but European manufacturing/parts sourcing has not had a good effect on the reliability some of the other eastern manufacturers in the last 10 odd years but I will concede that many people still have the mindset that European built(one country in particular) is better built so it may be a good marketing ploy for them.

Lex Luthor

I quite like the current i30

colm_mcm

I quite like the current one too, the main criticism I'd have of the styling of the current model is that the bonnet is too flat and low relative to the roof. The interior for me is marred by the two centre displays having 2 different shades of blue backlight with different brightnesses and different lcd fonts. Silly as it sounds it really takes from it.


I think Hyundai and Kia are in a much better position than the Japanese manufacturers were back in the 80s and 90s so hopefully they will learn from their mistakes. They haven't got any laurels to rest on and when you remember that they started out assembling cortinas back in the day and have progressively broken away from other manufacturers' help and gone to supplying Mercedes with engines, they won't let anything get in their way.

VolvoMan

colm_mcm wrote: »

They'll pay the price eventually.

I reckon Toyota's time has pretty much come. The Korean's have overtaken them with regard to product and they are being hammered in North America by the likes of the Sonata.

hondavfr

Does anyone know when this car will arrive in showrooms in Ireland?

Lex Luthor

reports say early next year with the estate probably this time next year

EPM

Some poor spy shots of it's KIA sister here.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/100660/2012-kia-ceed-spy-shots/

si_guru

I like it.