Paris show: Hyundai’s new ix20 and i10 break cover

HYUNDAI has released official photos of its ix20 small MPV ahead of its public debut at the Paris motor show at the end of this month but as GoAuto has reported, Hyundai won’t be bringing it to Australia.

The media release also included a front shot of the facelifted i10 light car, which will feature a new 1.0-litre petrol engine with CO2 emissions of 99g/km and is expected to reach Australia next year.

The ix20, which was designed at Hyundai’s European R&D centre in Rüsselsheim, features the ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language that debuted with the ix35 and Hyundai claims that this makes it “a liberating alternative to the conventional, boxy mini-MPV”.

Left: Hyundai ix20. Bottom: Hyundai i10.

The ix20 will face tough competition in the style stakes from the Opel/Vauxhall Meriva, which features suicide doors and innovative interior storage, as well as the recently-announced Toyota Verso-S, which will also be revealed at Paris.

In addition to attractive styling, the world’s fifth-largest car-maker hopes its ix20 will win over young families with low running costs. Hyundai claims “class-leading fuel economy and low CO2 emissions”, with the 1.4-litre CRDi diesel version pumping out just 114g/km of CO2.

Petrol 1.4-litre manual and 1.6-litre automatic drivelines will also be available, with both manual 1.4-litre petrol and diesel engine options featuring stop-start technology.

Another selling point claimed by Hyundai is safety. However, the related Kia Venga achieved just four stars in its Euro NCAP safety rating, so Hyundai, which claims the ix20 is fitted with “the latest in active and passive safety technologies,” will have to aim higher to convince its target family audience.

The interior photo shows a Ford Fiesta-esque dashboard layout with a Bluetooth/AUX/iPod/USB compatible stereo, full-featured steering wheel controls and individual centre armrests for the front two seats. The image also reveals the presence of a six-speed gearbox.

Hyundai has extended the size of this year’s Paris show display by 66 per cent to showcase its ever-increasing vehicle line-up and demonstrate new technologies including those contributing to its ‘Blue Drive’ eco strategy.