| New Car Preview | UK Pricing & Spec. | Hyundai i30 |

By releasing the new i30, Hyundai is looking to usher in a new era in which it'll attempt to compete with the big guns, namely the Ford Focus and the VW Golf, in the hatchback segment. Is it all just spin?

Developed for the European market, the i30 is the first offering from Hyundai's new line-up. The Korean company hopes it will enable the firm to gain an even stronger foot hold in Europe, with improved quality, equipment levels and the usual level of good value.

Moreover, Hyundai is eager for its new naming strategy, which it'll soon roll out across the range together with cleaner badging, will help to achieve the image overhaul it has been hankering after for some time. Hyundai very much wants the i30 to be able to be parked between a Golf and a Focus and for it to look part of the fraternity, and equally when you get in it wants you to feel as though you could be sat inside any high quality European hatch.

The European market will need convincing; perceptions aren't easily changed, but the generous specification is a good start. The 1.4-litre petrol base model has more equipment than its sister car, the Kia cee'd with which it shares its oily bits, but will be priced the same as its sibling from the budget orientated Kia brand.

The cee'd, which went on sale in January, might have a silly name but it's a very good car. It gained a favourable review from us and we fully expect the i30 to deliver more of the same, attracting attention for its generous equipment levels, European design and quality.

Amongst the options for even the cheapest i30 will be: air conditioning, alloy wheels, steering wheel audio controls, iPod compatibility, electric windows, fog lights, six airbags, glove-box cooling, active front head restraints and a stability control system (ESP). Hyundai's generous five-year unlimited mileage warranty and 10-year anti-perforation warranty is offered along with RAC membership for three years on all variants.

The i30 will be available with three different trim levels: Comfort, Style and Premium. 'Comfort' being the entry-level trim specification, 'Style' providing a more sporty focus and extra conveniences while the 'Premium' option has most of the gadgets available.

Like the Kia cee'd, Hyundai's i30 will be offered with petrol and diesel alternatives. Petrol power will come from a 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre engine, producing 108bhp and 120bhp respectively. And two oil burners complete the line up: a 1.6-litre - the most economical option in the range with a claimed Combined Cycle economy of 60.1mpg and a low 125g/km of CO₂ - kicks out 113bhp and a healthy 188lb.ft and a 2-litre with 138bhp and 224lb.ft.

Prices at the September 1st launch will start from only £10,995 for the well-equipped 1.4-litre petrol Comfort model and rise to £16,595 for the 2-litre CRDi Premium model.

Soon to follow the i30, and in line with the new naming strategy, will be a Kia Picanto-based city car called the i10, and a new Getz called the i20.

It will be interesting to see whether the brand that pitches itself as a more up-market alternative to Kia will be able to pass the acid test of a direct comparison with its European competitors. We will be testing the i30 for ourselves in the near future, so watch for that on the Hyundai Road Tests Page.

Richard Tanner - 1 Jul 2007