Test drive+Close up: Hyundai i10 1.25 Kappa (updated 16 Feb)

NOTE: THIS IS AN ADVERTORIAL REVIEW:

In this blog entry, I'm blogging about 2012 Hyundai Inokom I10 1.25 Kappa CVVT Auto.  This is the ONLY affordable City car in Malaysia tested in EURO NCAP and achieved 4 stars.  How affordable?
1.1 Epsilon: RM51,388 and 1.25 Kappa: RM56,005.15.

For a limited time, free 3 years OR 60,000km free service which includes parts and labour and RM2,000 Cash rebate.  If you feel RICH and Don't need the Free Service, a dealer, Advant Speed Motor can convert the Free Service to CASH REBATE for WHOOPING RM6,000 RM7500 off.  Ie. RM43,888 for 1.1 Epsilon and RM48,500.15 for 1.25 Kappa.  Hurry!  OFFER VALID While stock last for booking make before 20 December 2012.  for year make 2012 only.  Update: 16 Feb, only 1.25 CVVT Left - Dune Grey (met greyish brown) and Black.  RM8,500 CASH REBATE.  RM47,500.15 OTR for 1.25 CVVT year made 2012 unregistered.  Don't worry, still "Pemasangan Tempatan - BARU" on registration card.

For year make 2013 1.1 and 1.25 CVVT available, RM45,500 and RM50,500 OTR.  COLORZ Limited edition (launched 3 weeks ago) free insurance and roadtax worth RM1700 but for 1st 500 bookings.  Ie.  RM54,300.15 nett.  

On top of that, this City car's WON 40+ Awards worldwide.  In Malaysia alone, it won Autocar Asean Car of the year 2010, NST Maybank Car of the year: Best Compact car for 2009, 2010 and 2011 (ie. 3 years in a row).  There must be something special in this car to Win this AWARD 3 years in a row.  NST Maybank explained it here:

Let me tell you what's the "Something Special".

Firstly, it's the Amazing Fuel Consumption as tested by ASIAN AUTO MUDAH Fuel Efficiency award 2009 and 2010.  It Ranked NO.1 in Fuel efficiency comparison at 5.0l/100km FOR MIXED DRIVING.  The 2nd best, Viva's 5.2l/100km and 3rd best, MYVI 1.3's 5.6l/100km.  Note that this's tested on i10 1.25 Kappa CVVT Auto.

Secondly, it's the Safety features, besides EURO NCAP 4 stars, it comes with Rigid safety structure, Dual Airbags and ABS+EBD and 14" Alloy rims (NOT Steel ones).  Other highlights are Electric Power Steering with turning radius of 4.75m, Reverse Sensor, ICE player with Radio/MP3/USB/Aux and remote control, under-seat tray, Multi-info centre with Digital gear indicator and fuel gauge.

ENGINE, FUEL CONSUMPTION and SUSPENSION:

In this review, I'm going to put aside the timing belt driven 1.1 Epsilon and sampled the Timing chain driven 1.25 Kappa CVVT Auto as it's the NEWER and more fuel efficient of the two.

 The 1248cc High spec came with Kappa CVVT engine which generates  max power 87ps@6000rpm and torque of 120Nm@4000rpm.  Hey, that figures MATCHED Proton Wira 1.5.   Not bad for a 1248cc city car. 

 Fuel tank is mere 35 litres.  But City driving gets you as AT LEAST 500km (14.3km/l) and 700 km (20km/l) on highway driving.  Suspension wise, it's old school Front MacPherson struts and rear Torsion Beam Axle (photo below)

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 1.1 Epsilon and 1.25 Kappa:

1) Front fog lights (the former don't have)

2) Smaller rear spoiler

3) Different design alloy rims.

Above 1.25 Kappa, Below: 1.1 Epsilon.

4) No ABS and EBD.

5) No Dual layer boot tray.  Only 1 layer.

6) Timing Belt vs Timing Chain.

7) 4 colours VS 3 colours. (Call me for colour availability).

- 1.1: Stone beige, Stone Black, White and ice Silver.

- 1.25: Ice Silver (photo below), White (photo below) and Oyster grey (photo below).

  Above: TWICE Already, MYVI placed either beside (Putrajaya Roadshow) or Opposite (Giant Roadshow) i10.

DRIVE TIME:

Thanks to the Acoustic Shield, the Sound proofing's EXCELLENT for its segment.  Puts MYVI to shame.  So does the Ride and handling and high speed stability.  You might ask what's the top speed?  

Well it's tested 170km/h.  At that speed, only tyres and wind noise be heard, car's NOT SCARY at that speed Unlike MYVI.  My sister's MYVI 1.5SE on a recent trip to KLIA, I sat behind and it feels BUMPY and unstable at speed above 120km/h.  Ie. it feels like floating.

In addition, you can take throw hairpin corner with this baby at 80km/h without under-steering it.  Door opening and closing felt heavier than MYVI, so does the Boot lid.  In short, this car's a Safe (EURO NCAP 4 stars remember), Economical and lastly FUN TO DRIVE.  

A prospect took this car to Kg Sungai Penchala 20 degree angle Steep slope and this i10 1.25 tackle it with GUSTO.  No down-shift required and NOT Underpowered.  

Don't take my word for it, come to my showroom for test drive to experienced it yourself.

MAINTENENCE:

Rest assured, this car Comes with 5 years and 300,000km warranty on the Engine and gearbox, 24/7 roadside assist and 3 years OR 60,000km free service.  Come to my showroom, I'll show you how low is it to maintain this car.  

THE DRAWBACKS?

Let's face it, there's no PERFECT car in this world.  For this car, the drawback's plasticky dashboards  and door panels (expected for a RM50,000+/- car), skinny tyres (165/60R14) - can be changed, Poor boot space at 225 litres.

  But it can be expanded by split folding 60:40 the rear seats OR by installing THULE(TM) Roof box.  NOTE THAT ALL THESE drawbacks's NOT MAJOR.

RATING: 8.5/10.

Well there's a saying a picture's worth 1000 words, here are the photos:

INTERIOR:

EXTERIOR:

There you have it, a NOT OVER THE TOP review on the Hyundai Inokom I10.  If you want to buy this car, call me, Jeff at 012-6852-718.  My showroom is Advant Speed Motors at Damansara Perdana, PJ.

An original Jeff Lim production.  My original work.  Do give credit or links if you want to copy.  Copy like a man, don't plagiarise.