Hyundai, over time, has been able to overcome the skepticism that some potential buyers felt up to ten years ago, against an Asian but not Japanese sounding brand. Today there are many of them around, thanks to a price / equipment ratio that is decidedly advantageous and warranty on average much more extended than many competitors, just to name two of the main features behind Hyundai’s success.

Of course, in the first models that arrived in Italy, designs conceived for different tastes were still observed, but over time this aspect has also many steps forward to meet western tastes and the new Hyundai i 20 proves it. We are talking about a car that falls into the so-called B segment (Renault Clio, Citroen C3, Fiat Punto and so on), comprising cars usually characterized by a length of about 4 meters and therefore much larger than those of the A segment, utilitarians / citycar in the strict sense (that of i 10). We will briefly dwell on the less technological news , by virtue of our editorial line which focuses on the hybrid component and on the ADAS systems adopted. This article constitutes a summary (but also in part an in-depth analysis) on what was learned during the official presentation video conference held yesterday.

External

The new model is 2.4cm lower than the previous one: for nominal length, width and height the figures respectively refer to 404 cm, 171 cm and 145 cm . The design is decidedly modern and aggressive in the front, sharp lines with various hints of sportiness. Options include full-LED headlights, two-tone shades and a choice between 10 different colors. In the gallery of images that you find on this page there are about forty photographs that show the car in all its aspects well, which is why we will not go further, if not mentioning the adoption of rims from 16 inches or 17 inches in option.

Interior

Considerations apart from aesthetics (see photo gallery), we would like to underline the presence of a touch screen (8 “standard, optional or standard on some versions we find a 10, 25 “). Compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto could not be missing, which can be used through wireless connection (here more information on the Hyundai system BlueLink). The dashboard / dashboard is remarkable: it is a display of 10, 25″ similar to those already seen on higher segment cars or very recent competitors. It almost goes without saying that all the useful information is given, as well as the possibilities of personalization, including aesthetic ones.

Security

Hyundai, during the video conference, wanted to list what, according to the company, are the strengths of the new i 20: engines (we get there), connectivity (we have already mentioned BlueLink) and safety. On active safety, in fact, there is a lot to say. The increasingly popular driver assistance systems include automatic braking with recognition ento of pedestrians and cyclists , Smart Cruise Control (in constant communication with the navigator, it allows you to predictively adjust the speed even in the vicinity of curves or other potentially dangerous situations). Also worth mentioning is the lane keeping system (not only lane, as in the previous model), monitoring blind spot, anti-collision emergency braking in reverse , semi-automatic parking and also Rear Seat Alert : a pressure sensor (such as those on the front seats that signal whether we have put the seat belt on or not) is placed even under the rear sofa.

If you are wondering what it is for, we can tell you that the accidental deaths of very young children left in the car even for a short time, when it is very hot, are more frequent than you think. . Well yes, although marketing can go away fast on this point (it would not be elegant to say to a potential customer “You know, if you forget your child in the back seat the car reminds you …” ‘it’s not a joke: if the system can save a life, so be it.

Motors

Important premise: there are no diesel . For some time now, in the B segment, we have been witnessing an increasingly widespread diffusion of small-displacement petrol engines combined with turbo, precisely at the expense of the much mistreated diesel. The basic version of the new i 20 provides for the already known 4 cylinders 1.2 MPI from 84 CV (pair of 117 Nm a 4200 rpm) and to complete the powertrain there is a normal 5-speed manual gearbox.

We don’t want Hyundai, but we focus much more willingly on the new combination of the three-cylinder turbo 1.0 T-GDi (100 CV,) configured Mild Hybrid thanks to the adoption of an enhanced starting engine 23 V from 12, 2 kW (just over 16 CV). The pair rises to 171 Nm but constant over the period between 1500 and 4000 turns , then a level of delivery, driving and consumption, things change a lot. Virtually implied the energy recovery system in decelerations and braking, useful for charging the small battery (we did not find information on the capacity) dedicated to the electric motor. Hyundai i 20 1.0 T-GDi 48 V matches a 6-speed manual gearbox i-MT , but there is also an optional 7-speed DCT automatic double clutch. I 100 HP of the heat engine, assisted by the electrical component, are not few: the relatively low mass (1165 Kg o 1190 Kg, depending on the gearbox adopted) allows version 1.0 T-GDi 48 V to reach i 100 Km / h from stationary in 10, 4 seconds , with a top speed of well 188 Km / h . 173 Km / h and 0 – 100 Km / h in 13, 1 seconds as regards 1.2.

Consumption (with technical details)

We report only the declared consumptions with cycle WLTP , similar to those found in real use (as long as you are not heavy footed drivers ). The combined average cycle WLTP relative to the model with the 1.2 4 cylinders is 5,2 – 5,6 l / 48 Km (from 17, 2 Km / la 17, 8 Km / l ), which go down to 4.9 – 5.4 l / 100 Km (from 20, 4 Km / la 18, 5 Km / l) for the Mild Hybrid version with i-MT manual gearbox (soon we will also talk about this, as it plays a small role in fuel consumption.)

As expected, the mild hybrid consumes less while driving much more, not to mention the more satisfying driving experience. How and when does the small electric motor intervene? Here is a short video that explains how it works, which we will then discuss (the Tucson model is the protagonist, but the principle is the same).

Hyundai Tucson 48 – Volt Mild Hybrid System Animation from Hyundai Europe on Vimeo.

The electric motor / starter motor performs several tasks, as in all mild hybrids. In addition to the now widespread Stop / Start system, it provides additional power to the thermal engine in the phases in which The latter is subject to the greatest stress and, consequently, consumes more. An example is starting from a standstill: with the help of the electrical component, the heat engine consumes less in those seconds when, usually, it records very high instantaneous consumption. Think of starting with a bicycle uphill, while standing still: if someone pushes us we make much less effort. At speed constant, let’s say from extra-urban, the contribution of the electric is nil, except to enter in phases of strong recovery such as overtaking. During braking or generic slowdown, the system works in reverse : the electric motor generates energy, which goes to recharge the small additional battery.

The field i-MT (intelligent Manual Transmission) is a manual gearbox (there is the clutch pedal). We said it plays a small role in keeping fuel consumption low, and here’s why. Pressing the clutch pedal does not act directly on the piston that disconnects the engine from the transmission. Pressing the foot on the pedal (much softer and less tiring than normal) only sends a signal to a sensor connected to a control unit, which in turn activates an electro-hydraulic system. This allows the disconnection of the engine from the transmission to be electronically and sometimes autonomously controlled, even when the car is in motion.

Does the system save some money ?? of fuel, because when you release the accelerator it disengages the clutch and at the same time turns off the engine . When releasing the accelerator the car will proceed by inertia , as the system will disconnect the transmission as if it were in neutral, without wasting fuel . At the slightest pressure on the accelerator everything returns to normal. How do we put it downhill, where the engine brake can be used and is there a risk of the car behaving abnormally compared to what we are used to? A sensor detects the slope and “understands” it: if we are going downhill the system will behave like a normal manual gearbox, without any disconnection from the control unit. A somewhat intelligent clutch, which according to Hyundai saves up to 3% fuel compared to a normal gearbox. A little here, a little there, and the mileage per liter of fuel increases.

Prices

New Hyundai i 18 is available in the fittings Connectline and Bose. The “basic” version consists of 1.2 MPI 84 CV, manual transmission, Connectline. we are at 16. 950 Euro, which rise to 19. 200 Euro opting for the much richer Bose. What about the mild hybrid 1.0 T-GDi? Connectline with 6-speed manual gearbox costs 17. 150 Euro, increasing to 21. 400 Euro under construction Bose. The top of the range is made up of the latter, but in combination with the 7-speed DCT dual clutch automatic transmission: 22. 600 Euro, plus any optionals not included. It is better to remember that these are list prices that do not include special promotions (almost always active). It is easy to expect even significant discounts in the event of a purchase.