Hyundai revamps the i30

Hyundai has announced a revamped version of its Golf-sized i30. The changes appear to mirror those already seen on the i30's sister car, the Kia cee'd. As well as a host of trim updates, the i30 gets a new 1.6 litre diesel engine and optional ISG (Integrated Stop & Go), Hyundai-Kia's fuel-saving stop-start system; that costs £200 and, on the diesel, reduces CO2 emissions according to official government tests to from 115g/km 110g/km.

There is a new entry-level version of the i30, the Classic, which costs £12,000 with a 1.4 litre petrol engine and £12,950 with a 1.6 litre diesel; cars with the highest Premium trim level start at £14,750. That means the i30 enjoys a substantial price advantage compared with the big sellers in this bracket, the Vauxhall Astra and the Ford Focus. In fact, in price terms, the i30 tops out roughly where the new Astra starts – and, after another round of price rises from Ford, the Focus is dearer still.

The revised Hyundai i30 goes on sale on 4th January 2010.