In this blog entry, I'm covering the Newly launched CBU from Korea Hyundai i30 GD Nu 1.8 D-CVVT. It's priced in Malaysia for RM127,888 for Executive spec and RM132,888 for Sport spec OTR With insurance.
INTRODUCTION:
Like the i40, this is EUROPEAN Elantra. The i30's Designed and engineered in Russelsheim, Germany for European taste.
The i30 shared the same engine (150ps and 178Nm torque) and gearbox (Hyundai's own 6 speed automatic) as the Elantra. That's all the similarities. The wheelbase is 50mm shorter than Elantra, so is the Boot space. At 378 litres it's down from 485 litres. But it's expandable to 1316 litres after 60:40 fold-flat split folding the rear seats.
The model we are getting is Korean specs (NOT UK). The tell tale sign is the Indicator (on the right instead of left as seen in i10 Colourz, i40 and Santa Fe). This is a Neither here nor there specs. Among the absent features are the Electric Parking brake, cruise control, Reverse camera, Leather seats...
DRIVE TIME:
I had 25km long test drive from Seri Kembangan to Damansara Perdana. This is the 3rd longest TEST DRIVE after the i10 which I bought it and Sonata 2.4.
Since this is a C-segment car, it's unavoidable customer will compare it with the Elantra. Well, this car's also sold in North America, as the Elantra GT.
The missing bits from the Elantra 1.8 are Nappa Leather seats (fabrics in place), cruise control, power adjustable driver seat (manual adjust in i30), Dual zone climate control air-cond (Manual adj), Touch-screen DVD player with GPS, Reverse Camera.
What's extra over the Elantra are Panoramic Glass Sunroof, 6 airbags, Flex steer, much much better soundproofing and chassis and overall Lighter, Slightly more powerful yet more frugal car.
Since I had 25km long drive, I have all bases covered. Bumpy Puchong roads, Highway, Traffic jam (LDP), High speed hairpin corner, U-turns etc...
This is a VERY SOLID car compared to Elantra. This is the "FINISHED Product" of Elantra because it makes the Elantra looks half-baked. For starters the Chassis and Suspension tuning is Much more FUN and chuck-able around corners, much better high speed stability and wind noise is down to minimal level. And then, the engine is tuned for more torque at lower RPM, so as the better tuned transmission. Ie. less rev happy and annoying sensitive-kickdown as seen in Elantra 1.8 gone.
Soundproofing department's EXCELLENT too... Wind and tyres noise reduce drastically compared to Elantra. It fixed most of the Negative stuff found in the Elantra 1.8. But at the end of the day, it's still smaller (280mm shorter, 50mm less wheelbase) than the Elantra inside out.
The Flex-steer feels like a pointless feature for the i30. It's because the Comfort mode is TOO Light, Sport mode feels TOO ARTIFICIAL feel, at the end of day, NORMAL Mode ALL THE WAY.
Power wise, it's slightly more powerful than Elantra 1.8 but slightly less powerful than Civic 1.8. It sits in the middle of Elantra 1.8 and Civic 1.8.
Fuel consumption is tested 9l/100km by me. Seri Kembangan to Damansara Perdana (city driving).
COLOUR CHOICES:
CONCLUSION: If you are looking at Great handling, Fun to drive C-segment Hatchback, put this in your shopping list. THIS IS A GERMAN CAR, with a KOREAN BADGE. Rating: 8/10.
If you want to buy this car, please call me, Jefferson Lim at 012-6852-718. Excellent service assured.
Well there's a saying a picture's worth 1000 words. Here are the photos:
That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry. An original Jefferson Lim's production. Copy like a man, please give credits to me (or links to this blog), don't plagiarise.
