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A LOT OF CAR FOR YOUR MONEY Strategic financial marketing will accompany the introduction of the Hyundai i10 in Britain. Hyundai will not only promote the city-car i10 as a lot of car for the money, from under £6,500 with air conditioning as standard, but it will be building on the marque’s five-year warranty with a strong finance package, said UK managing director Tom Whitehorn at the media launch. As the credit crunch is expected to hit the UK car market this spring and summer, with one bank predicting a million less people now planning to buy a new car, the finishing touches are now being put to the financial package to roll out with the Hyundai i10. Hyundai has learned that forecasters have given the new i10 a 3years/60,000 mile residual value of 39 per cent. That coupled with its low emissions, low road tax and Benefit in Kind company car tax rating, Mr Whitehorn said he believed the newcomer will have strong appeal to corporate buyers including daily rental fleets. “We want to get it onto the books for £110 a month, which we believe is a very good figure considering the equipment levels,” he said. “This is an important car for us. It lifts the brand to a new level of competitiveness, and will also create the right atmosphere for the introduction of other new models this year.” The larger Hyundai i30 Estate, the H1 van and an eight-seat MPV are all heading for showrooms this year. Hyundai UK expects to sell about 19,000 i10 models in a full year and to take their overall car sales from last year’s 29,765 units to 32,000 this year, with the additional new models lifting business further in 2009. Hand in hand with this growth is a desire to gradually increase the number of UK dealers from 155 outlets today, to the optimum of 185 and to fill some open points around the country, principally in large metropolitan areas. The Hyundai i10 is essentially a replacement for the Amica, which was discontinued some years ago, but it is an appreciably larger car in this sector where rivals are also growing in size. The launch of the i10 marks the point at which Hyundai becomes an all-air conditioned range. This will bring drivers a real benefit, not just in hot weather, but also in the winter when the dehumidifying effect results in far faster demisting. All i10s are powered by a 1.1-litre, 65bhp petrol engine which is capable of 56.5mpg on the combined cycle, and produces just 119g/km of CO2 for the Classic and Comfort models. This means it qualifies for a road fund licence charge of just £35 per year and the new 10 per cent benefit-in-kind company car tax level. Views All models have four airbags, five seats, isofix mountings, electric windows, colour coded bumpers, central locking and an integrated radio with MP3-compatiable CD player and that all-important auxiliary port for your MP3 player. This level of equipment is standard on the entry-level Classic trim, but for there are two steps up the range. The Comfort is available with a manual or automatic gearbox and gains alloys, rear electric windows, front fog lights, a height adjustable driver’s seat, power outlet, electric door mirrors, remote central locking and colour coding on the exterior mirrors and door handles. At the top of the range, the Style has the addition of 15” inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, metal grain fascia, a rear roof spoiler and an electric sunroof. Not only do the models share the same engines but also four disc brakes, ABS and electronic brake force distribution. Suspension is by front struts and rear torsion beam with electrically assisted rack and pinion steering. The 1.1-litre, four cylinder petrol engine, already familiar to Getz and Amica owners, has been revised to improve performance and emissions. As a result it is capable of 58.5mpg on the average cycle and 64.2mpg on the extra urban run. The top speed is a respectable 95mph, meaning the i10 should never feel strained at legal motorway speeds. With 65bhp available the 0-60mph time is just under 16 seconds in the five-speed manual but stretches to 18.5 seconds with the four-speed automatic. The five-door body will seat four passengers and has a 285-litre boot, enough for weekend shopping, but struggling with a set of golf-clubs. The manual gearbox version I tested seemed to be much more better matched with the 1.1-litre engine because the automatic transmission did rob it of some much needed power, particularly on hills and when moving away from traffic lights. Ride quality was generally good and the handling safe and sure on dry roads over the test route. Inside the room was fair for those infront but anyone in the back would feel it a squeeze if they were above average height and the front seats were set for a six-footer. The interior is simple and attractive with careful thought shown in the colour and texture of fascia, seats and headlining. There is no doubt the Hyundai i10 is the equal of its rivals in terms of ability and comfort but it moves ahead of them in the equipment and value for money stakes, and with a strong finance package and that long warranty in the back pocket, it provides the residual value and reassurance so many need at this end of the market. MILESTONES. Hyundai i10. Price: From £6,495. Engine: 1.1-litre, four-cylinder petrol, 65bhp. Performance: 95mph, 0-60mph 15.9 seconds, 58.5mph, CO2 119g/km, VED Band B £35, Company Car Tax 10%. Luggage space: 285-litres. For: High specification relative to price, long warranty, compact size. Against: A squeeze for rear adult passengers, auto transmission robs performance. ©ROBIN ROBERTS,WheelsWithinWales Miles Better News Agency
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