Test Drive Hyundai I30 since 2007 Hatchback

Middle geometric

At the end of last year, Hyundai loudly announced the beginning of the massive bombardment of the domestic car market
Three segments, three models ...
In the best times it would be a serious application for leadership. But in the current situation that the Executive GENESIS that the off-road IX55 can only be considered as instruments of support. The main burden lay on the shoulders, probably the most anticipated (imported) car in the latest history of the compact hatchback I30.
His release was really delayed, because this Hyundai has been demonstrated by the Russian public within 2007 within the framework of the Moscow Motor Show. In part, the slowness of the Koreans is explained, they needed to sell Elantra, especially since the I30 nee hatchback, not burdened with superficial modifications (sedan and wagon), and we always sold sedans better.
But the bid did not work anyway, so the novelty is quite bye forces to overtake its pro-American relative. This car is at least elegant and more dynamic. Although, by and large, nothing supernatural stylists of the European Design Studio did not suggest: Mord Hatchback something resembles a single-platform Kia Ceed, a profile of at least Korean Chevrolet Lacetti, and the door of the luggage compartment Bavarian kopeck. In general, the topic is beaten, but in general this Eurasian immediacy and today looks quite original. In any case, the eye does not break.
On the other hand, one and a half years of marketing downtime for the i30 gift did not pass: he has come. Not critical, but noticeable, at least to compare Hyundai with new Mazda3 and Renault Megane. In a word, this car appears at least a year earlier, his prospects would be more tangible. The same should be said about the salon. In I30, it is also clean and tidy, like in Peugeot 308, but there is clearly not enough emotions. Yes, and with the originality of the problem of the pseudo-pholksvagenic blue lighting of instruments and equipment today in the literal sense, the word has been soldered asked: beautifully only the first couple of minutes, after half an hour, the eyes begin to get tired, and after an hour the panel wants to turn off.
On the other hand, the quality of the assembly does not lame, the quality of execution in the Middle Economic level, and as before excessive simplicity, then you should not forget that the correct geometry usually affects not so much on the eye as the ergonomics. The location of the equipment on the central console is quite logical. However, it is more important that the set of equipment available to customers fully complies with the requirements of the European market, all management bodies are easily fit on the above-mentioned area. The function buttons at the same time are reduced to a single unit to use it conveniently, but at the same time there is a mass of free space that the interior, alas, does not paint. The same flaw, by the way, is characteristic of Kia Ceed.
But to the placement of passengers the claims minimum. The steering-adjustable steering wheel in all planes is conveniently falling into the hands. The settings of the chairs are not ideal, but in most cases they are enough to ensure that the level of comfort is at least not lower than those generally accepted in the C-grade norms.
A worthy standard of living will provide Hyundai and rear seats. The sofa is quite spacious, but by virtue of the design features of the compact hatchback, it is still not worth counting on three full seats. But two he will take without problems. The only limitation with a completely militant front chairs of the space between their backs and a sofa pillow, as in all such cars, is minimal.
Not perfect and trunk. Not that it was bad or uncomfortable (with functionality everything is in order), but otherwise there is nothing special. Relatively proper geometry, a sane volume transformable (in proportion 40:60) The back of the rear seat and the corresponding increase in loading space is not bad, of course, but it was not possible to surpass competitors. On the other hand, it is still better than the foam-resistant storage for storing the full-size spare out of the outdoor Focus compartment.
Sorry, but, despite the nominally wide list of power units, on the Russified version of only two gasoline engines. At the conclusion of turbo diesel engines, contrary to the latest trends, Koreans did not solve. We have no two-liter four, developing 143 hp, which seems to have become a victim of the crisis: too expensive. In general, domestic buyers have to be content with a basic 1,4-liter 109-strong sixteenthly gauge and an equally fresh 1.6-liter analogue, developing 122 hp. The fact that the most popular with us will be the first option is obvious. But a more powerful option will certainly be a healthy competition. If, of course, sales of these modifications will once again not be ruined into the price tag: the cost of cars with this motor today starts from a mark of 640,000 rubles, and what will happen next ...
On the way, the hatchback with a 1.6-liter unit is very good, which, frankly, was some surprise. Despite the explicitly backward power indicator and mandatory in such cases, the CVVT system is usually encouraging the engine on the bottoms, this four begins to carry almost idle. For some time, the car, of course, swing, but really a pause lasts no more than 0.5 seconds, after which the engine begins to spin very intense. What is characteristic, more problems do not even start from the place, and accelerate from medium speed: contrary to the expectations to force the hatchback to accelerate by simply pressing the pedal, to put it mildly, it will not work, it is unreal even on 3,500 revolutions.
In a word, in such a situation, it will definitely have to go to a lowered and unscrew the engine, which is called, to the ringing. With this, by the way, the second trouble is a lack of acoustic comfort. Over noise insulation of the Koreans salon, of course, worked decently: standing somewhere on the traffic light, hear the utopia engine. But it is worth touched the accelerator pedal
and lift the power unit to the limits of the working range, its screech will not muffle even relatively good onboard acoustics.
As for behavior on the road, the i30 strongly reminded the similar CEED. The suspension is harsh, but in general, the designs are distinguished by quite acceptable energy intensity and stability. In the corners of the body, they do not work out, and artificial and natural asphalt irregularities they work out non-shutter, but it is tight that for the car of this brand it was previously uncharacteristic. A sharp steering wheel, however, the absolute transparency in the zero from the amplifier Koreans did not achieve the feedback of weakness, which is especially noticeable when I30 falls in a ripple: the Baranka seems to be stable, but the car is in the literal sense of the word chatting like a duck Judicious in a nine ball storm.
But for the brakes Koreans worth saying a separate thanks. In this case, the designers clearly took as the basis of the experience of German colleagues, so that with a very good efficiency of deceleration, the corresponding pedal was very informative. At least adaptation, such as, for example, when driving a French car, it does not require.

Competitors
What is the focus?
Domestic Ford Focus is still the most demanded car of the Russian C-class and, according to the most dangerous competitor to I30. However, he is not so many truly strengths. First, the car offers exactly the same comfort and is made approximately at the same level. And secondly, Ford is not as low as it seems at first glance.

The basic version is estimated today at 345,000 rubles, but the next stage in the price list starts from the mark of 521 200 rubles. So the only serious advantage of Focus can be considered only a greater selection of power units.

Retrol
The second generation Mazda3 may well qualify for the title of the main novelty of the season. The new matryoshka is decorated in the same vein as the predecessor, but she has a more modern and high-tech interior and the mass of new equipment. Engines, as before, two 1.6 and 2 liters, but unlike Europe, machines with motors will be supplied, not under Euro-5, and under Euro-4, so we will be more dynamic. The first cars will come to dealers in about a month. Prices for the model, however, are still unknown, but they are unlikely to exceed the planned plank.

With Russian soul
With the Russian release of the sixth generation Golf, the Germans were clearly tightened, but at the same time they managed to register him at the Kaluga conveyor, so the prices of the novelty will not become common. Already today it is known that the cheapest Golf will cost 592,000 rubles. Under the hood of such a car, a tested 102-strong 1.6-liter engine aggregated with MCP will be installed. In total, for the novelty, the Germans offered three motors: in addition to the 1.4 FSI already mentioned, as well as a 2-liter 210-strong four, installed on the GTI version.
 
Vladimir Lodkov
Photo by Armen Maitarjan
 

A source: Mkmobil Journal [July / 2009]