Hyundai Presents four New Models for Europe in Paris

PARIS – October 4, 2010: The 2010 Paris Auto Salon sees Hyundai Motor Company previewing a glimpse into the European future with the unveiling of four new models for the continent, two of which are world premieres. In line with the company’s continued growth in Europe, Hyundai’s show stand is bigger than ever in 2010, displaying a total of 18 production models and concept cars over a stand area that has grown 66%.

Making its world debut, the all-new sub-compact ix20 differentiates itself from the boxy ‘minivan’ competition by adopting a sportier, more dynamic profile. The ix20 is the latest Hyundai vehicle to be designed and built in Europe, and benefits from Hyundai’s new ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language.

The ix20 builds upon this strong design foundation to deliver a class-leading package. Best-in-class fuel economy and CO2 emissions – as low as 114 g/km – contribute to very competitive running costs while active and passive safety systems are designed to deliver a segment-leading five-star Euro NCAP rating.

A second global debut on the stand in Paris is the new model i10. This city car comes with a ground-breaking new three-cylinder, 1.0-litre engine, badged i10 Blue. Emitting just 99 g/km of CO2, this model makes the new i10 a class leader in terms of reduced emissions and low cost of ownership. On sale in the fourth quarter of 2010, the new i10 benefits from a styling upgrade that includes a new front section with Hyundai’s signature hexagonal grille and tear-drop headlights, bringing the car in line with other new models in the Hyundai range.

The third new model for Europe is the Genesis Coupe. Going on sale in the fourth quarter 2010, Genesis Coupe has been modified to suit European tastes, with revisions to the steering, suspension and brakes. The rear-wheel-drive grand tourer is available with an efficient 154kW 2.0-litre turbo or a powerful 223kW 3.8-litre V6 engine.

The coupe version of the Genesis line-up is joined by its sedan sibling and the luxurious Equus limousine, the latter making its first European appearance. Hyundai will monitor public reaction to these two models – both already successful in other markets – before making a decision about whether to bring them to Europe.

Finally, Hyundai is showcasing the latest eco-friendly technologies to come from its Blue Drive™ initiative. The company has targeted industry leadership in the field of environmentally-sustainable technology, and the models on display reflect this objective.

The fourth new model for Europe is a variant of the popular compact SUV ix35. The ix35 Blue, boasts class-leading CO2 emissions of just 135 g/km, thanks to the introduction of a new 1.7-litre diesel engine, and the application of Blue Drive™ technologies. Looking beyond the near future, Hyundai is giving a world premiere to the ix35 diesel hybrid. With CO2 emissions of 117 g/km, this mild hybrid joins a line-up of six Blue models on the Hyundai stand.