Hyundai refreshes i40

HYUNDAI has given its mid-sized i40 range a bit of spit and polish for 2015 with a new double-clutch transmission, beefier diesel engine and more electronic assistance slotted under the new-look sedan and wagon shells.

Due to arrive in Australia in the first half of 2015, the facelift will include a 1.7-litre diesel bringing an extra 4kW of power and a useful 20Nm of torque, taking the output to 104kW and 340Nm.

A second diesel option to be offered in Europe produces 85kW and 280Nm from the same displacement, but it is unlikely to accompany the more powerful version Down Under.

Petrol engine output is unchanged, with 131kW and 214Nm produced by the normally aspirated 2.0-litre when powering sedan variants or one less kilowatt and one less newton metre in Tourer versions. Both four-cylinder engines are Euro 6 compliant.

The boosted grunt of the higher output diesel will be complemented by a new six-speed double-clutch automatic transmission available for both petrol and diesel versions, offering improved fuel efficiency and driver enjoyment, says the South Korean car-maker.

Gear shifts are handled by the transmission while in automatic mode, or manually by the driver through steering-wheel paddles a more involving drive.

The introduction of the new transmission has also allowed the addition of fuel-saving idle stop technology. Variable aerodynamics at the front of the vehicle reduce drag to improve efficiency.

Electronics have also been given an overhaul with grip-tightening Advance Traction Cornering Control that reportedly feels like a limited-slip differential, improving traction, road holding and handling.

Tourer versions will be equipped with a variable damper suspension system similar to the layout under the Genesis large sedan. This allows the driver to alter the suspension behaviour with various drive mode settings.

Safety also gets an enhancement with lane-keep assistance, full-beam headlight assistance and speed limit sign-reading technology that displays the current speed on the vehicle’s TFT touchscreen.

Two new updated sound-system levels will be on offer, with the top version now featuring digital DAB radio.

Aesthetic changes for the 2015 facelift include tweaked front and rear lights with matching LED fog lights, a reshaped front bumper housing, a new design grille and new 16-inch and18-inch alloy wheels.

In Australia, the current i40 sits in seventh place in the mid-sized passenger vehicle segment with a 5.6 per cent share of sales year to date, behind the clear favourite Toyota Camry in first place, Mazda6, Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3 Series, Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat.