(continued from above)
The i40 saloon boasts a purely European identity having been designed and
engineered at the European R&D headquarters of Hyundai in Rüsselsheim, Germany.
The i40 saloon will go on sale across Europe in the fourth quarter of 2011,
supported by Hyundai's industry-best, fully transparent Five Year Triple Care
customer assurance. This package has been attracting European consumers to the
brand through its combination of a five-year unlimited warranty, five years of
roadside assistance and five years of vehicle health checks.
Allan
Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe, commented,
"The reveal of the saloon represents the next step of the i40's introduction to
the European market, following the very positive reception for the i40 tourer.
The i40 saloon shares the same qualities found in the tourer, including
outstanding levels of fuel-efficiency, comfort, and quality, and broadens the
appeal of the i40 to buyers in the D-segment.
"We have ambitious but
achievable targets for the i40 range, expecting to sell 60,000 units in a full
year and building on the momentum Hyundai has gained in Europe in recent years.
The launch of i40 will help us reach 3% market share by the end of 2011," Allan
Rushforth concluded.
Design Inspiration
The i40 saloon
represents the next evolution of Hyundai's unique design language, 'fluidic
sculpture'.
The 'fluidic sculpture' design DNA is recognizable by flowing
lines inspired by nature which combine to create a dynamic exterior, and was
introduced on the Hyundai ix-onic concept car at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.
Since this debut, 'fluidic sculpture' has been the design inspiration behind all
new Hyundai models, such as the award-winning ix35, ix20 and Veloster.
The design concept key words for the i40 sedan are 'fluidic sculpture' and
'premium wing,' evolving from the fluidic sculpture philosophy. Hyundai
designers wanted to emphasize on creating fluidic volume with a modern touch as
well as a sophisticated wing-like detail.
"We have used very strong,
fluid lines from front to rear to give i40 a distinctive appearance," commented
Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre. "We
wanted to move away from the typical three-box saloon and create a car that was
in keeping with the sporty nature of the i40 tourer. By sculpting a low,
elongated roof line, we've given the i40 saloon a striking coupe-like
silhouette," Thomas Bürkle added.
The i40 saloon not only benefits from
attractive styling, but also retains high levels of interior comfort, with a
wheelbase delivering best-in-class dimensions for front head, shoulder, and leg
room. This impressive roominess promises to give all occupants spending long
periods of the time in i40 the most comfortable D-segment ride available.
"While the exterior of i40 saloon stands out for its fluidic form and
distinctive appearance, the interior has been shaped to deliver practicality and
comfort to the driver and passengers in a high-quality package," Thomas Bürkle
concluded.
Hyundai i40: Review (2/2)