Hyundai planning to offer a sporty version of the i40
By Andrew, 17 Feb, 2012. 0 Comments
2012 Hyundai i40 Sedan
Hyundai is considering the possibility of building a performance version of the Hyundai i40 as well as a new Hyundai i30 hot hatch, according to Allan Rushforth, Hyundai Europe’s chief operations officer. At the launch of the all-new i30, Rushforth said that Hyundai is forced to act on its quick growth in Europe with models that extend beyond its budget roots. He said, “A Hyundai GTI? That’s not just a C-segment question [i30], but a D-segment [i40] one as well.” He said that there have been internal talks about such cars and they’re in consideration of versions that don’t only offer more performance but have improved ride and handling too.
He explained that Hyundai needs those cars in its goal to expand to become a “good value, reliable and low CO2 brand.” Recently, Hyundai confirmed that this summer will be the launch of a performance ‘Turbo’ version of its new Veloster coupe in Europe. For the first time, the car will bring turbocharging to its modern 1.6-litre four-cylinder ‘Gamma’ direct-injection petrol engine.
Rushforth said that the company is open to more turbocharging in the future. He said that Hyundai acknowledges the capacity of these turbo engines to cut emissions and boost low-end performance, adding that the company is focused on “high-revving, high stress [normally aspirated] petrol engines.” Rushforth said that the firm aims to expand its turbocharged offerings starting in 2013, when the firm is expected to take on a wider roll-out of the dual-clutch transmission technology that was launched in the Veloster recently. [source: Autocar]
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