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Fastback experience is more Hy than low
REVIEW:HYUNDAI I30 FASTBACK BY SUE COOKE
Life on the road when the average driver travels over 200 miles a week can be a long and tiring one, resulting in caffeine highs and road rage lows. Driving can also be rewarding as business deals are clinched and hours behind the wheel give thinking and planning time. One of the most important contributions to a good
life on the road is the company car. This mobile office must feature the necessities and comfort is a major need. The all new Hyundai i30 fastback I road tested clocked up many miles as I drove to and from car launches. I found this latest addition to the i30 range is a really comfortable car for long distance runs. The i30 fastback went on sale earlier this year and
adds a new model to the most important car for the Korean brand in Europe. There are 12 exterior colours to choose from for exterior paintwork and three interior colour options. The roof has been lowered by 25mm compared with
the i30 five door, creating a stylish and sophisticated coupe. It is 115mm longer so there is more space to stretch your legs in the rear. The chassis has been lowered by five mm and the stiffness of the suspension has been increased by 15%, which provides a more dynamic and agile driving experience. But still the comfort persists. The cabin is spacious, and I appreciated the comfortable long thigh support on front seats. In the dark, the cornering headlights light up the side of the road and there is a stunning light show when the ignition is engaged. In the cockpit, there are bright LED instrument dials with digital easy to read numbers and
buttons for main features. There is also a very clear full colour rear view camera. Luggage capacity of up to 400 litres is generous and
extends to a maximum of 1,351 litres with the seats folded flat. Practicality is enhanced with a ski hatch in the rear centre seat and a two-stage luggage board for hiding items out of view. I also like the luggage hooks which keep the contents of bags from emptying into the boot. The i30 fastback has the latest Hyundai SmartSense
active safety and driving assistance technology. Driver Attention Alert is particularly useful for long distance drivers. The safety system monitors driving patterns and detects reckless or tired driving and helps to prevent potential accidents by emitting an audible sound and message on the instrument display panel. The i30 Fastback powertrain lineup consists of two downsized turbocharged petrol engines. There is a 1.4 T-GDI with 140 PS which I road tested, or a one-litre T- GDI with 120PS. Both boast greater fuel efficiency and power. I did find the seven-speed dual clutch transmission suffered with automatic lag, so didn’t respond as quickly as my right foot desired, but there is a six-speed manual transmission. As the new owner of the i30 fastback, company car
drivers can benefit from Hyundai’s industry-leading five-year unlimited mileage warranty, five-year roadside assistance package, five-year annual health check, and 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. There are some drawbacks to a life spent mainly on
the road, but the Hyundai i30 fastback offers the comfort and practicality that help the miles cruise gently by.
JULY/AUGUST 2018 insight 33 You can follow Sue Cooke
on twitter @cookecars
MODEL: Hyundai i30 Fastback Premium
PRICE: £24,440otr
ENGINE: 1.4 T-GDi 140PS 7 speed dual clutch transmission
PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 126mph
CO2 EMISSIONS: 129g/km
COMBINED FUEL CONSUMPTION: 50.4mpg
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