Hyundai i20 Preview

We have got a chance to get hold of the spy pictures of the Hyundai i20 (courtesy Autocar india) - The second in line of the "i" cars that Hyundai will launch in India. The i series cars have met with great success around the world and in India, its needless to mention that Hyundai's i10 is the best hatch available here today. Its combination of features, performance, economy and price are unbeatable and it is a runaway success. Indian streets are full of these i10's. So having established the i series strongly, Hyundai has to build on the reputation with the i20 due for release at the Paris Motor Show. IAB will be bringing Live coverage of the Paris Motor Show. You can have a look at our articles on the Getz/i20 here and the spy pictures here.

The i20 was Hyundai's best seller in Europe and in the world, but failed to take off in India because of the fury of the striking Swift which is a hot seller even without any considerable facelift. The Getz has hit record lows and this is the best time to bring in the i20 which will take help from the all successful i10, so the i20 has its job cut out as lots will be expected out of it, which it does.

The first look suggests a very modern and contemporary design which is among the best looking hatches. It also has the 'go' along with the 'show' (More on this later). The car looks elegant and is bound to be a runaway success as the i10 provided Hyundai gets the pricing right. It can be easily inferred that the i20 is bigger than the present Getz and that is because it is. It is almost Fabia sized and expect it to just squeeze in the 4m barrier thereby qualifying it for excise sops. The rear is neat and uncluttered and the distinguishing feature is the emboss effect around the Licence plate. The front lights are similar to the ones on the Peugeot and the car is striking as well. Expect a multitude of engines from the 1.1, 1.2Kappa to the 1.5 CRDi and the all new 1.6 CRDi which will have the Lauras and the Civics running for cover.

The 1.1 IRDE did its job very well in the i10 and then came the 1.2 Kappa which took the game away from the competition. The i10 boasts of a lot of technical innovations that promise power and performance at the same time. You can read the technical article here. The Kappa was a runaway success as well as many prefer this to the old IRDE. Then came the 1.6 CRDI which boasts of lots of innovations and pumps out a Laura -busting 128bhp!!! Thats right 1 2 8 from a 1600cc engine! The earlier 1.5 CRDi in the Getz propelled it into the best hot hatch category and this would make it a HOTT hatch!. read the press release from Hyundai here about the all new 1.6 CRDi that will revolutionize the diesel segment in India.

Press Release

The Powertrain R&D Center of Hyundai Motor Company has completed development of a new, more fuel efficient and cleaner diesel engine for compact passenger vehicles (C-segment and below).

Displacing 1,582cc, the U2 is an inline four cylinder engine which utilizes second generation common rail diesel injection system to deliver class-leading performance.

“Our diesel engine development capabilities are truly world-class and the proof can be seen in the U2.  It’s the leader of the class and it makes us proud,” said Dr. Hyun-Soon Lee, president of the Hyundai-Kia Corporate R&D Division.

The first car to have the U2 engine installed will be the successor model of the Getz, the all-new i20 sub–compact. The i20, due to be launched in Europe towards the end of 2008, will be produced at Hyundai Motor Co.’s Indian subsidiary in Chennai.

By combining their advanced engineering know-how with state-of-the-art technologies such as a variable geometry turbocharger, a variable swirl control system and an electronically controlled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling system, the U2 development team was able to successfully optimize the ports and combustion chambers. This endows the U2 with outstanding fuel economy (4.7 L/100km) and low emissions (125g CO2 /km).  Moreover, the U2 is fully compliant with the latest Euro4 emission standards. The optional particulate filter reduces particulate matter to Euro 5 standards which take effect next year.

At the heart of the power plant is a new 1600 bar CRDi system which is capable of delivering up to five injections per cycle permitting much more precise control than was possible with the previous 1350 bar system.  As a result, the U2 generates a total power output that measures an impressive 128PS(94kW)@4000rpm. Torque is rated 26.5kg.m(260Nm)@1900~2750rpm–best in its class, and more than 90 percent of the maximum torque is achieved at 1500rpm.

Other refinements include a variable swirl control system which helps to minimize emissions and a chain drive for improved reliability in valve train control and a bed plate-type lower crankcase for better block rigidity, lower noise, vibration and harshness.  The auxiliary belt is a serpentine-type for improved reliability and compact packaging.

NVH

The U2 claims to be the quietest engine in its class, measuring up to two dBA lower than leading competitors.  During the course of development, the main sources of noise emission were identified and appropriate measures were implemented. Since the 1.6 liter engine was equipped with chain drive for valve timing control, the chain and cover systems were identified as one of the main sources of noise. Structural analysis was performed for design improvement and based on modal analysis the chain and head cover structure was reinforced by applying ribs. The shape and structure of the oil pan was also improved as the oil pan was another big source of noise emissions. Structural analysis was also done to investigate the effects of rib shape and rib location on noise characteristics and thus, developers were able to arrive at an optimally shaped oil pan.

The U engine, first introduced in 2005, has grown to a family of engines that includes 1.1-liter 3-cylinder and 1.5-liter 4-cylinder variants which utilize a common architecture and share components for maximum manufacturing efficiency.

Press Release from Hyundai

Pictures- Autocar India Forums