Hyundai i40 Tourer
Designed and engineered at the company's European R&D headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany, Hyundai's vision for New i40 was to provide a unique alternative within the D-segment. Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai's Motor's Design Centre Europe, ensured his team focused on refreshing New i40 while retaining the distinctive visual appeal of the original model. As a result New Hyundai i40 combines practicality with engaging design.
"The design of New i40 reflects the evolution of Hyundai's design language, incorporating our most recent features such as the refined hexagonal grille. The New i40 stands out for its sleek and elegant expression, yet it remains uncompromised on comfort and load capacity. New-look head lamps and tail lamps enhance the sophisticated identity of the car during the day and also the night time. Tow-tone wheel designs complement the overall elegant and sporty stance of New i40", commented Bürkle.
The New i40 for 2015 features newly designed head and rear lamps, new hexagonal front grille, new front bumper and new integrated LED fog lamps. The profile is refreshed with newly designed 16- and 18-inch alloy wheels.
New i40 retains its predecessor's sleek outline, resulting in excellent aerodynamic drag figures - 0.29 Cd for the Tourer and 0.28 Cd for the Saloon.
The refreshed design of New i40 further improves interior comfort, cabin versatility and practicality.
Inside New i40 there are new high quality materials for the steering wheel, armrests and gear knob.
New i40 carries over key dimensions of the previous generation model, with a generous wheelbase (2770 mm) and overall width (1815 mm), which create a cabin with impressive space, including best-in-class space through its head (1025 mm), leg (1170 mm) and shoulder room (1455 mm) for front seat occupants.
Rear headroom (990 mm) in New i40 is class-leading, while the unique ability to recline rear seats ensures i40 offers all occupants the most comfortable ride in the segment.
The boot capacity in New i40 remains highly competitive 525 litres (Saloon) and 553 litres (Tourer) with the rear seats upright and up to 1719 litres (Tourer) with the rear seats folded down. Loading and unloading the Tourer is especially easy thanks to the lowest floor level in the D-segment -just 592 mm from the ground.
The Smart Power Tailgate, first introduced in the All-New Genesis, ensures easy access to the Tourer's boot (subject to market specification). It opens automatically when the driver approaches the rear of the car with the keys in their pocket. This makes loading the car much easier even with both hands full. To further increase space, the rear seats are split 60/40 and twin floor rails accommodate moveable luggage restraint barriers.
New i40 will be available with a heated steering wheel to enhance driver comfort in extremely cold conditions. Solar and privacy glass protects the interior from harmful UV rays and help reduce cabin temperatures as well as adding individual privacy in the back row.
New i40 offers an upgraded navigation system with 7-inch TFT colour touch screen that benefits from the latest technology, improved touch screen functionality, new visualisation, 3D display mode and DAB radio for the first time.
The standard audio system is an evolution of the system available in the outgoing model, with improvements to screen technology moving to a Monochrome TFT LCD screen.
Additionally a new high-resolution TFT LCD display provides the driver with onboard and safety information.
Improved engines, plus a new seven-speed DCT
The New i40 is available with a choice of two diesel power units - both Euro6 compliant - with outputs ranging from 115 to 141 ps.
The top-selling version of Hyundai's U-II 1.7-litre diesel engine now delivers more power (141 ps) and more torque (340 Nm) from just 1750rpm, ensuring a responsive drive.
The seven-speed DCT system offers drivers fully automatic operation or sequential manual gear changes selected with the gear-lever or steering wheel-mounted paddles for greater driver involvement.
The 1.7-litre diesel standard engine generates 115 ps and a torque output of up to 280 Nm from as low as 1250 rpm. This engine comes with a 6-speed manual transmission in i40 Tourer and CO2 emissions start from 110 g/km and with fuel consumption of 67 mpg.
Boosting New i40's environmental credentials, the model is available with Hyundai's latest fuel saving technologies. These include: Integrated Stop & Go (ISG), low rolling-resistance tyres, an alternator management system (AMS) and a drag-reducing 'active air flap' in the front grille.
New Advanced Traction Cornering Control improves handling precision
Hyundai's chassis engineering team working on the New i40 were tasked with improving on the original model's already highly competent ride/handling balance.
"For better cornering and to improve the overall agility of the New i40, Hyundai's engineering team developed the Advanced Traction Cornering Control (ATCC). The ATCC improves traction and handling, all specially tailored for the New i40 and its driving characteristics," explains Axel Honisch, General Manager Vehicle Test and Development.
The system (available subject to market specification) uses electronic sensors to emulate the behaviour of a limited-slip differential during cornering, providing additional traction, better grip and improved handling. The computer-controlled system applies the brake to the inside wheel in a turn and directs more torque to the outside wheel, enhancing stability and boosting driver confidence. The operation is seamless, fully automatic and the small application of the brake is imperceptible to the driver.
The Drive Mode settings are enhanced by the new Rear Electronic Damping Control System (ECS) (available subject to market specification), which is equipped on the rear axle of the most popular New i40 body type - the Tourer. Thus, the driver can adapt the suspension settings through the drive modes to suit driving style. In addition to the rear suspension, the steering, throttle response and transmission logic are also influenced by the selection.
The disc brakes, backed up by ESC, ABS, EBD and Brake Assist systems as standard, is carried over from the previous generation model.
The robust bodyshell, long wheelbase (2770 mm) and wide track 1591 mm in the front and 1597 mm in the rear were unchanged as they provide an excellent foundation for the fully independent suspension, by MacPherson Struts at the front and a multi-link system at the rear. The electric rack and pinion power steering with its responsive 2.78 turns of the steering wheel from lock-to-lock is also carried over.
New 'active' technologies for a safer drive
The already comprehensive list of available active and passive safety technologies has been further enhanced for the New i40.
New Bi-Xenon headlamps (availablesubject to market specification), which have brighter illumination and deliver greater clarity for improved night time visibility, feature self-levelling as standard.
The forward-facing sensors for the existing Lane Keeping Assist System, now perform two additional functions. The new Smart High Beam (SHB) system (availablesubject to market specification), which made its debut on Genesis, monitors approaching traffic and automatically turns off the high beam to avoid dazzling other drivers.
The new Speed Limit Identification Function system (availablesubject to market specification) checks roadside signs and displays a current speed limit alert to the driver via the new TFT display on the instrument panel.It is the first time Hyundai has introduced this technology to its model range.
Every New i40 is fitted with comprehensive passive safety measures, including seven airbags - front, side, curtain and driver knee airbag as standard. On some models two rear side airbags are also available. The original i40 was awarded the maximum five-star safety rating in Euro NCAP's impact assessment programme.
Like all new Hyundai models, the New i40 is backed up by Hyundai's unique, Europe-only, Five Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty package. This care programme provides customers with a five-year warranty with no mileage limit, five years of roadside assistance and five years of vehicle health checks.
