This is Hyundai's first serious entry into the European Mondeo hard-fought market. Based on the same platform as the new fire and Sonata for the U.S. market is well-i40 (April 2011), and a lounge (in autumn).
There will be an i40 hatchback, unlike in Britain, most Europeans are buying property, approximately 65 percent of this market segment represents.
See test hidden images of Hyundai i40
I40 exterior is modern and striking, though deeply strange, angled D-pillar is a little less cautious than the norm in this segment.
Hyundai i40 engineers say that compared to the Volkswagen Passat and Toyota Avensis. A longer wheelbase Passat offers more interior space.
The company also claims that the i40 body is 11 percent stiffer torsionally and 23 percent stiffer than the Passat bend. A significant 62 percent i40 structure consisting of ultra high strength steel, which will pay for the ride and handling and safety.
How does it feel?
Even five months before the start of mass production (we went in 17 and 25 car models will be built i40), i40 is surprisingly good.
We tried to diesel and gasoline engines in the country Hyundai Namyang, albeit in a secret development of the car.
There are two 1.7-liter diesel engine, offering 113bhp and 134bhp, low-set engine is offered with a CO2 emissions of just 113g/km and 124g/km strong. In 2012, the stronger twin-turbocharged version of the engine.
While the new 2.0-liter direct injection GDI petrol engine pulls strongly at higher speeds there is still a long way to go to the complete engine and Hyundai admits. But he claimed that he returned around 50mpg, which is considerably better than rivals can manage.
Even at this stage it is clear that the 1.7-liter diesel engine will probably be an option. For more refined than the GDI engine, diesel traction is also easier from low revs and responds well to a six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmission.
For high-speed bowl, the i40 is very stable and well built at 100 km / h, providing good conditions for long days in the UK makes highway, although it was not possible to assess the likely impact of wind assessment.
Dealing with circuits, Hyundai was more than competent, refuses to understeer pressure on long, fast corners. Send Sense and weighting are also held on the fast curve that the driver into the correct account is moved to the rounded corners possible. It is likely that the car is super-charged business here. A total of i40 seemed a happy medium between comfort and alertness hit.
I40 also benefit from the extensive and well laid out cockpit with plenty of storage space and an attractive center console, which dominates a treadmill. High-quality materials and attention to detail (especially the combination of chrome and satin finish highlights) seems to be the best Europe has to offer.
Rear seat passengers are well equipped with excellent legroom and good. The shoe is also important, but it is not too deep membrane loading bay and side windows. There is room for full-size spare, though.
Should I buy?
Hyundai recognizes that the European Mondeo sector has fallen dramatically in recent years and it will be difficult for him to enter the market. But it is a car of this size to compete especially for fleet orders.
This pre-production i40s were promising: the characteristic and spacious, with beautiful interior and excellent interior packaging. While impressive processing European feel, even when we tested the car at home.
We will know more next spring, but the i40 looks very competitive.
Hilton Holloway
Hyundai i40 1.7 CDTI property
Price: TBA, top speed: TBA, 0-81 km / h: 18.4sec [only digits] Economy: TBA CO2: 124g/km, Empty Weight: 1485 kg Engine: 4 cyls, 1688cc, turbodiesel, 134bhp at 4,000 rpm Power Couple: € 243 m at 2000 rpm Transmission: six-speed manual
