Hyundai i40 Tourer [UK] (2012)

"We developed the Genus concept and matured it into the i40, our vision of a truly unique European car," said Thomas Buerkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai's European Technical Centre.

The design represents an evolution of Hyundai's unique form language, 'fluidic sculpture', creating a sleek, elegant Tourer with uncompromised comfort and load capacity. 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 ix20, Veloster and ix35.

"While the exterior of i40 stands out for its fluidic form and distinctive graphic elements, the interior design focuses on the sculptural and ergonomically optimized integration of its functions," concluded Thomas Buerkle.

The sleek design of the Hyundai i40 Tourer does not impact negatively on the levels of interior comfort, cabin versatility and practicality or cargo capacity. The generous wheelbase (2770 mm) and overall width (1815 mm) create a cabin with impressive capacity. The new model delivers best-in-class dimensions for front seats occupants, with head (1025 mm), leg (1170 mm) and shoulder room (1455 mm).

With significant rear headroom and the unique bonus of reclining rear seats, Hyundai's i40 Tourer promises to give all occupants the most comfortable D-segment ride available, even when spending long periods of time on the road.

Cargo capacity in the i40 more than holds its own among competitors in the class, with figures ranging from 553 litters with the rear seats occupied (loaded to the top of the seatbacks), up to 1719 liters with the rear seats folded down (loaded to the roof). Loading and unloading is also made easy by the lowest floor level in the D-segment - 592 mm from the ground, 43 mm below the Passat.

The new i40 is significantly sleeker than previous Hyundai models, with an improved aerodynamic drag figure (0.29 Cd wagon, 0.28Cd sedan) - enhancing refinement, performance and fuel economy.

FLEET

The i40 will play a key role in expanding Hyundai's presence in the UK's fleet sector, balancing efficiency with driver pleasure and providing a competitive customer assurance program and total cost of ownership. With a sales forecast of 5-6000 units in 2012, Hyundai expects approximately 60% of sales to come from the fleet sector.

Like all new Hyundai models, the i40 is backed up by Hyundai's award-winning industry-best, transparent customer care package, Five Year Triple Care. This demonstrates Hyundai's confidence in its vehicles, providing complete peace of mind to customers and making their ownership experience both rewarding and stress-free.

Hyundai has also now developed a stronger infrastructure and training programme that will deliver a first class service by our professional dealer network.

COMFORT & CONVENIENCE

The high level of equipment in the Hyundai i40 Tourer sets it aside from its competitors. It offers an extensive standard specification with numerous high-tech features - many of them available only as options on competitor models.

The Hyundai i40 Tourer will be generously equipped as standard with items such as: automatic headlights, front fog lights, Bluetooth® connectivity with voice recognition, electric front and rear windows, driver's knee airbag, active front head restraints, electric parking brake with automatic hold function, ESP, HAC (Hill-start Assist Control), manual air conditioning, and a six-speed transmission.

High-tech electronic features include Smart Parking Assist, Lane Departure Warning systems (as part of the optional Assist pack) and Xenon headlamps including static cornering lights which provide additional illumination of the 'nearside' road and the verge during cornering. Connectivity items such as touchscreen satellite navigation and rear-view parking camera come as standard on Style and Premium.

Advanced exterior and interior lighting innovations, such as standard daytime running lights with optional Xenon headlights and LCD supervision instrument cluster will further strengthen the i40's position as the lead model in both Hyundai's line-up and the D-segment.

An optional three-piece, full-width panoramic glass sunroof will be available on Premium models. The front section tilts, the center section slides and the rear is fixed. Inside, a roller blind blocks out the sun when needed and on the outside, the B- and C-pillar trims are finished in high-gloss black to complement the all-black framing of the roof.

Standard on Premium models, the memory function for the driver's seat retains the seat settings for two drivers.

To help owners cope with extremes of hot and cold climates, special options are offered. Optional ventilated seats as part of the Comfort pack provide ventilation, conducting cabin air through the cushion and backrest which can lower the temperature by 3°C (cushion) / 5°C (backrest) and lower humidity by 20% in 20 minutes. Also part of the Comfort pack, the i40's steering wheel will be available with a heated rim (up to 38°C) to enhance driver comfort in extremely cold conditions and heated rear seats are also available.

ENGINES

The all-new Hyundai i40 Tourer will be available with a choice of very competitive Euro V-compliant engines: two petrol units and one diesel with two outputs. These power units cover a 115 to 177PS output spread.

All engines are tuned for strong torque delivery extended across a wide engine-speed range, making the i40 an enjoyable car to drive around town or on the motorway. Manual and automatic transmissions will also be offered.

In a segment where diesel models represent 77% of total sales, Hyundai is anticipating that the 'high-power' version of the 1.7-litre diesel unit developing 136PS will be the most popular engine among both private and fleet buyers. This engine's high torque output (325 Nm from just 2,000 rpm) will ensure a responsive drive with acceleration to 62mph in just 10.6 seconds for the manual model and a brisk 12.0 seconds with automatic.

The 'low-power' version produces 115PS which takes it from 0-62mph in 12.9 seconds.

The petrol engine is Hyundai's all new four-cylinder 2.0-litre GDI engine, called 'Nu'. This all-aluminum engine makes its debut in the i40, promising to deliver higher torque (for enhanced drivability), improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, plus undiminished durability and excellent NVH characteristics - similar to a multi-point fuel injected engine.

Equipped with GDI (gasoline direct injection) this 1999 cc unit generates 177PS which ensures that the i40 Tourer boasts best-in-class fuel economy. An i40 with this engine and a manual gearbox will accelerate to 62mph in just 9.7 seconds registering fuel economy figures of 39.2mpg (combined cycle) and achieve a CO2 rating of just 169 g/km.

The 1.6-litre petrol engine offers a well-proven 16-valve Gamma unit. It generates 135PS and accelerates from 0-62mph in 11.6 seconds.

Eco credentials

In terms of environmental performance, the all-new i40 will feature the latest technologies developed under Hyundai's fuel-saving Blue Drive™ eco-program, including Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG), low rolling-resistance tires, an alternator management system (AMS) and a drag-reducing 'active air flap' in the front grille.

When combined with the 'low-power' 1.7-litre 115PS diesel engine, the inclusion of these Blue Drive™ features means that fuel consumption and CO2 emissions register at an impressively low 65.7mpg and 113 g/km respectively, making the i40 the most fuel efficient model in its segment. With Blue Drive features fitted, the CO2 emissions figures for the higher-spec Style 1.7-litre 136PS diesel are 119 g/km with 136PS and 62.8g/km.

Hyundai has continuously highlighted its desire to lead the way in terms of long-term environmental sustainability for the auto industry, and the new i40 furthers the company's commitment to delivering models with class-leading eco-performance.

While developing the i40 powertrains, Hyundai focused on achieving strong mid-range performance for maximum drivability and maximum driver appeal. Overall, Hyundai is expecting a 80/20% split between diesel and petrol-powered i40 sales in the UK - with the 1.7-litre 136PS diesel accounting for almost 50% of total i40 sales.

TRANSMISSIONS

To maximize fuel economy, reduce CO2 emissions and enhance refinement, every Hyundai i40 Tourer will come equipped with a six-speed transmission.

The six-speed manual is an upgraded gearbox with improved multi-cone synchronization, optimized gear design, reduced weight, enhanced efficiency, reduced power loss, an optimized differential casing and superior durability up to 300,000 kilometers. The transmission, which is filled with low-viscosity oil, is maintenance-free and requires no servicing during the life of the vehicle.

The gearbox is fitted with a 'high' sixth gear ratio, to minimize engine revs when cruising at speed, enhancing refinement and cutting fuel consumption.

Developed in-house for fitment in a wide range of future vehicles, the all-new six-speed automatic transmission demonstrates world-class engineering skills. The driver can choose from two operating modes - fully automatic or manual. For city driving, fully automatic mode is ideal, while manual mode allows for clutch-less manual sequential gear changes for greater driver involvement - either using the centre console selector lever or the new steering wheel-mounted paddles (standard on all automatic models).

The paddles enable the driver to change gear without taking his/her hands off the steering wheel. Pulling the right-hand paddle towards the driver changes up, while pulling the left-hand paddle changes down.

Although the six-speed transmission is a regular torque converter automatic, it incorporates a unique flat torque converter, with three planetary gear sets and four pinion differentials - ensuring ultra-fast, smooth and precise gearshifts throughout the engine speed range - and it weighs just 78 kilos, only 20 kg more than the manual gearbox.

Its innovative layout makes this transmission the most compact six-speed unit currently available anywhere in the world. It is 54 mm shorter and weighs 12 kilos less than a regular five-speed unit and boosts fuel economy by up to 12%. Like the i40's six-speed manual, the automatic is a 'filled for life' maintenance-free unit.

Whenever the car is stopped for more than a few seconds, the new transmission's innovative 'Neutral Control' function automatically shifts the transmission from 'D' to 'N', improving fuel economy especially in city driving.

RUNNING GEAR

Hyundai's chassis engineering team were given the challenge of exploiting the robust all-new body shell structure and the new model's long wheelbase, to ensure that the new tourer's steering and ride/handling balance delivered a responsive drive, with premium levels of refinement to rival the established best-in-class.

A new hydraulic power steering system was developed. The rack and pinion system is speed-sensitive and requires just 2.88 turns of the steering wheel from lock-to-lock, with a turning circle of 10.94 meters. Weighted to provide good steering feel and precise vehicle control, the system offers substantial feedback during out-of-town motoring and with low effort during parking and city driving.

Compact, lightweight MacPherson Strut suspension is employed at the front, with off-set, side-load springs to reduce friction and ensure smooth operation for enhanced ride quality.

A multi-link, fully-independent suspension system was engineered for the rear. It features dampers and coil springs which are mounted separately to more effectively disperse input loads and to minimize intrusion into the cabin and cargo bay.

To reduce NVH, both the front and rear suspension systems are mounted on a lightweight hydro-formed sub frame, with carefully fine-tuned rubber bushes to help isolate the cabin and its occupants from irregularities in the road surface.

Every i40 is equipped with an all-disc braking system, backed up by ESP, ABS anti-lock, EBD brake-force distribution and Brake Assist systems as standard. For maximum stopping power, ventilated front discs and solid rear discs are fitted. Larger diameter brake discs (320 mm front and 300 mm rear) are available with 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels, standard on Style and Premium models respectively.

REFINEMENT

At the heart of the Hyundai i40 Tourer's class-leading refinement and its responsive handling is the all-new body shell. The increased use of ultra-high strength steel together with advanced engineering has resulted in superior stiffness and superb structural efficiency that outperform rivals. The new body shell will ensure that i40 occupants are barely aware of any vibrations from the road surface or from the car's mechanical components.

Compared with other European models, torsional rigidity is 11% greater and flexural (bending) stiffness is 23% higher. When structural efficiency is taken into account, the i40's body in white is 27% more efficient than its closest class competitor. With minimized vibrations, the i40 body shell has enabled Hyundai's development team to deliver a car with outstanding NVH.

To bring the refinement of diesel-powered i40 models as close as possible to the petrol vehicles, a new acoustic package has been developed. By using experimental methods such as Reciprocal Holography (to visualize noise reduction levels at certain frequency) and ADNA (Advanced Diagnostic Network Algorithm) to rank noise sources in the order of their identified transfer paths - the NVH performance, has been dramatically improved.

The new acoustic package ensures materials such as air permeable carpet, sound absorbing layers for engine-room encapsulation, and textile wheel-arch liners absorb noise sources from engine, road, and muffler, providing a 20% improvement in interior noise levels (on Articulation Index), and a reduction in outside engine noise when idling (compared to an i40 without these features).

Like many of the characteristics and attributes of i40, the NVH package was created to provide a quieter and more comfortable driving environment for diesel vehicles, developed particularly with high-mileage fleet users in mind.

SAFETY

The Hyundai i40 Tourer is equipped with the latest active and passive safety technologies to ensure maximum protection for its occupants. Active safety features, fitted as standard in many countries, include ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), ABS (anti-lock braking system), HAC (Hill Assist Control) to prevent roll-back when starting on an incline, VSM (Vehicle Stability Management), Brake Assist System and Emergency Stop Signal.

Several new 'active' features are introduced with i40. As part of the ESC system and a standard feature in Western Europe, VSM (Vehicle Stability Management) helps the vehicle stay in a stable position by reducing the amount of assistance if the driver is applying too much steering effort - and increasing assistance if the driver is applying too little effort.

An ESS (Emergency Stop Signal) system ensures that trailing drivers are alerted whenever the driver has to make a sudden or abrupt stop as the rear hazard lamps automatically flash repeatedly when the system senses forceful pressure being applied to the brakes.

A Lane Departure Warning System (available on Premium models as as part of the Assist Pack), automatically corrects steering when the vehicle veers out of the lane.

To assist drivers during reversing or parking manoeuvres, two active systems are available. A new rear-view parking camera is fitted with a 130-degree, wide-angle lens which transmits images to the navigation display (standard on Style and Premium).

The i40 can also be ordered with Smart Parking Assist System which features cutting-edge optional technologies that make parking easier than ever before. The system will automatically 'drive' the car into/out of parking spaces (between two cars parked in single file) that are only 100 cm longer than the vehicle, with the driver only having to control the brake and accelerator.

In terms of passive safety, every i40 on the road in the UK will be fitted with seven airbags - front, side, curtain and driver knee airbag available as standard on all models.

With its stiffer, stronger all-new body shell, Hyundai anticipates the i40 will continue the company's excellent safety record and attain the maximum 5-Star rating in Euro NCAP's impact assessment program.