Hyundai steers i30 toward young drivers
Albert Biermann, executive vice president of Hyundai Motor’s performance and high performance Vehicle Development Division, left, and Kwak Jin, executive vice president of the company’s sales division, stand next to the third-generation model of the i30 hatchback at a launch in Seoul on Wednesday. The automaker is targeting the “hot hatch” to a younger generation of drivers. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]
Hatchbacks haven’t been exceedingly popular in the nation, but Hyundai will target younger generation drivers in an effort to create new demand. The model has been more popular in European markets where the practical features of hatchbacks, like increased trunk capacity by connecting trunk space with back seats, are more appreciated.
“We plan to sell 15,000 i30s in the nation and up to 250,000 cars in the global markets,” said Ryu Chang-sung, director of domestic marketing. Since the release of the first-generation model in 2007, about 1.83 million i30s have been sold at home and abroad.
The automaker upgraded the engines, design, safety and smart features on the “hot hatch” while offering them at a price determined to grow the overall market share for hatchbacks in the local market.
The model comes with new gasoline 1.4 and 1.6 turbo engines and a seven-speed double clutch transmission which enhanced fuel efficiency and maximum output of the car compared to the previous 2.0 gasoline model. For instance, the gasoline 1.6 turbo model performs at a maximum of 204 horsepower, a 19 percent increase over the 2.0 gasoline model.
In terms of design, the new model lowered the roof by 15 millimeters while adding 25 millimeters to the hood length to give the car a sleeker appearance. It also comes with a “cascading grille,” a new signature design Hyundai added. “Many global carmakers these days are highlighting their grille styling and we also developed our grille to add our own brand identity,” said Ha Hak-soo, director of interior design at Hyundai Motor. The cascading grille is modeled off of metallic stain from Hyundai’s smelting furnace, according to the company.
“Our auto market is slowing and we think dividing the market into smaller segments has become more important to cater to diverse customers’ demands,” said Kwak Jin, executive vice president of the domestic sales division. “The domestic hatchback market has grown from 4,000 car sales 10 years ago to roughly 29,000 cars last year and I think the role of the new i30 is very important.”
The prices for the gasoline models range from 19.1 million won ($17,486) to 25.15 million won. The entry price is about 700,000 lower than its predecessor. Prices of diesel models range from 21.9 million won to 26.15 million won, freezing the starting price at the same level as previous generation models.
BY KIM JEE-HEE [kim.jeehee@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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