Hyundai i30 facelift 2020 unveiled with 48V mild-hybrid powertrain
Hyundai has gone ahead and introduced a mid-cycle update for its i30 hatchback which is sold in international markets. A rival of the Volkswagen Golf, the Hyundai i30 facelift (2020) comes with a range of changes including updated exteriors, new connectivity tech, advanced safety features and a mild-hybrid engine option.
At the front, the wide grille immediately grabs our attention. It comes with a new design that utilizes a unique 3D pattern. Headlamps have also been updated and they are now a lot slimmer in comparison to the earlier model. Headlamps come with trendy V-shaped LED elements that enhance the hatchback’s premium profile. These changes have been introduced in both the 5-door hatchback and the ‘fastback’ model. A refreshed grille design has also been introduced in the sportier N-Line variant.
Interiors are spacious and convey a sense of simplicity and calm. There’s an elegance to be experienced all around and the things you see and touch indicate the high quality of materials used inside the car. The dashboard depicts the sophistication of an aircraft cockpit and is equipped with a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The 2020 Hyundai i30 facelift also gets a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster. Other key features include ventilated seats, room lamps, metal pedals, wireless smartphone charging pad, full-auto air-conditioning system and rear air ventilation system.
The Hyundai i30 facelift will use the same engine options as earlier. The only difference is that each gets a new 48V mild-hybrid option. This will be offered with both the 1.0-litre gasoline engine that makes 120 hp and the 1.6-litre diesel that churns out 136hp. The mild-hybrid option will be offered with both manual and automatic variants including the one with the new 7-speed DCT gearbox. N-Line variant gets an exclusive 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that is capable of generating a max power of 160 hp. This too gets the 48V mild-hybrid option, which is said to improve fuel efficiency.
Designed for superior comfort and convenience, the i30 facelift is equipped with features such as rear-view display system, power window controls, parking assist system (PAS), USB connectivity, engine start/stop button, auto defogging system, 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, and steering mounted controls. The hatchback offers ample boot space, which can be further increased by folding the rear seats.
Some new safety features that have been added include rear collision-avoidance assist, lane-following assist and leading-vehicle departure alert. These are in addition to existing safety features such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive smart cruise control (ASCC), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), blind-spot detection (BSD) and hill start assist control (HAC).
The 2020 Hyundai i30 facelift will be launched on international markets sometime after 2020 Geneva Motor Show. While the i30 hatchback is unlikely to be launched in India due to high cost, we could see i30 Fastback N make its debut in India at some point. It may be recalled that Hyundai had showcased pre-facelift Fastback N at 2020 Auto Expo.
