i30 Racking Up Accolades in Europe and Australia

I've been loosely monitoring news on the car that is destined to be repackaged as the Elantra Touring.

EcoGeek reported "Hyundai i30 Pwns Prius in Low-Emissions Race"

"The Hyundai i30 was the vehicle that got the honors in the race for best fuel economy and lowest CO₂ emissions. Hyundai said the 1.6 CRDi turbodiesel journeyed over 3,000km from Darwin to Adelaide last month, consuming 3.2 litres of fuel per 100km and emitting 97g of CO₂ per kilometer traveled. The i30 is fitted with a 1.6-liter diesel "using a common rail injection system. The CRDi engine is fitted with a turbocharger featuring variable vane geometry for optimal air intake at any engine speed."

The i30, which is targeted toward European car drivers, beat out what many would consider very environmentally friendly cars. Hyundai seemed proud to state that "by comparison, the Leaseplan Toyota Prius consumed 5.6 litres per 100km and emitted 146g of CO₂ per kilometer." The Peugeot 207 HDi consumed 3.9 litres per 100km and emitted 118g of CO₂ per kilometer. Meanwhile, Team Ethanol Saab BioPower (85 percent ethanol and unleaded gas) consumed 9.3 litres per 100km and emitted 148g of CO2 per kilometer."

The i30 was also just chosen as Spain’s “Car of the Year 2008,” the first time for an Asian carmaker. Very eye-opening. Previous winners were mainly Renault, Fiats, and Citroen's. Maybe because this car is designed in Europe that the judges didn't feel they had to snub the Korean car. I don't know.

The award follows the i30’s outstanding recognition in Australia, where it was voted as both by Carsguide “2007 Car of the Year and 2007 Green Car of the Year.”
"Set aside your prejudices then, take your hands from the childrens' eyes...the i30 CRDi is not only stylish and excellent value, it is a grand drive. Pretend it's not Korean and you will love it.

Good-looking, comfortable, well-trimmed and very well made - there is little not to like about what has been one of the biggest surprises of the year."

These are truly impressive honors, not like the vague ones like Hyundai's in the US have been getting.

I really hope the car that makes it to the USA comes with the performance characteristics that makes it such a winner in Europe. It doesn't seem likely we will get the super-green CRDi rail-injected turbo diesel version, which has what been the lauded the most. We also won't be getting the i30 hatch; instead we are getting the i30cw wagon, which is roomier, but probably not as nimble. It's also maybe not as sexy as the Saturn Astra, but its looks stands on their own.

If it rates as well in the US, this smart-looking Euro-compact, not the Genesis sedan and coupe, may be the vehicle to get Hyundai the respect it needs in the US.

Why am I so pessimistic about the Genesis? There was an embarrassing video review (with English subtitles) by a Korean magazine, which basically said that though the fit, finish and looks were great they were very disappointed in the performance. Then there was these pictures of two Genesis sedans which slipped off the back of the truck posted today on autoblog.com. Is this bad "carma" for the launch of a new model?


Even in this condition, I have to say it is a handsome looking sedan. Interesting brand decision: Looks like they have decided NOT to put the Hyundai 'H' logo on the front or the back of the car. I think it is a good decision not to use the 'H', but the Genesis wings emblem is such an rip-off from Bentley, I as a Hyundai owner feel embarassed.