Credit for i10’s existence lies at the door of the Japanese ‘kei-class’; a tax-friendly, parking-friendly but fairly basic mode of city transport. In fact, the forerunner to i10 was the Atos model, which was typical of the breed and a bit of an ugly duckling to be frank. The first examples of the i10 appeared in 2008, which satisfied practical, 3.5m long, ‘first car’ needs and soon developed a sound reputation off the back of the government’s scrappage programme.
Being unveiled at this month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the latest, third generation i10 has grown slightly in every direction but managed to remain well within the maximum 4.0m length for the sub-compact class at 3.6m. However, every single design element is altered comprehensively for this newcomer, starting with an exceptional interior, in which the most obvious feature is the touchscreen atop the dashboard, flanked by an attractive instrument binnacle and a textured dash panel.
With deliciously upmarket tactility, a neat centre console, complete with charging pad for smartphones, highlights premium grade connectivity that has never been available at this level before. The cabin presents a pleasant amount of airiness and good space for four adults, even though the boot capacity is a modest 252-litres, which can be expanded by flopping the rear seat backrests onto their bases.
Externally, the former ‘cuteness’ of the i10 has been sharpened into a more dynamic form that features stylish slash marks and angularity to its frontal aspect and a distinctive upwards kink to its rear three-quarters view. When the optional 16.0-inch diameter alloy wheels are specified, it gains an even more sporting appearance. Overall, it is clean and unfussy, possessing a muscularity to its flanks that adds beguilingly to its attractiveness. This baby has grown-up, complete with a new C-pillar embossed logo for the i10 designation.
Designed, developed and built in Europe, the significantly more youthful appeal of the i10 is supported by a choice of 1.0-litre, 64bhp three-cylinder, or 1.2-litre, 81bhp four-cylinder petrol engines. A further choice of 5-speed manual, or 5-speed automated-manual transmissions, both of which feature ‘idle-stop/go’ technology, with an interesting ECO pack availability that features adjusted gear ratios, four seats and 14.0-inch wheels for enhanced frugality, shows that Hyundai knows its place in the cityscape.
However, it is the inclusion of SmartSense active safety and driving assistance features, as well as the vastly improved levels of connectivity that are the measures of i10’s coming of age. No car in this class has featured as much driver-orientated equipment as Hyundai has managed to incorporate, as part of a broader realisation that small cars have a vital role to play in the future of transportation. Of them all, the Hyundai app that comes with the new i10 will prove to be the most engaging, with a multitude of features to provide maximum enjoyment.
