Hyundai i40 range revised for 2015

Hyundai has refreshed its i40 Sedan and Tourer range for 2015. Boosting the i40’s appeal in the highly competitive midsize segment are updates to the exterior and interior, improved fuel efficiency for its range of petrol and diesel engines as well as the introduction of a new dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

Headlining the new facelift is a Veloster-like grille featuring matte-black horizontal slats and contrasting chrome inserts for a more aggressive look.

Also immediately obvious are i40 Series II’s new projector-beam headlight units mounted in blacked-out headlight housings. The headlight units incorporate a redesigned LED strip for the daytime running lights. i40’s Series II’s LED tail-lights also have been restyled.

On i40 Series II Premium variants new LED fog-lights integrating a strip of five individual LED lighting elements replace the previous incandescent lights.

There are also new design alloy wheels, with the Premium variants gaining 17-inch machined-face twin-spoke design with dark grey painted inserts.

Inside, the new i40 receives updates to its infotainment system and a new rear armrest storage box with flip-up cover.

The i40 Series II range is available with either a 2.0 GDi petrol engine (Tourer variants only), or a 1.7 CRDi diesel (all variants).

Exclusive to the Tourer body style, the 121kW/203Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine has been revised to improve low-end torque, delivering better off-the-line acceleration and real-world performance.

The 2.0 petrol engine is mated to a six-speed automatic. In the petrol-engined i40 Series II Tourer Premium variants fuel consumption has been improved by three percent to 7.5L/100km.

The 1.7 CRDi turbo diesel engine sees its power output raised from now 100kW to 104kW and torque jumped from 320Nm to 340Nm. It now combines with Hyundai’s all-new 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). Replacing the six-speed automatic previously found in diesel-engined i40s, the new DCT offers better performance and driveability, improving fuel economy to 5.1L/100km, down from 5.6L/100km.

Hyundai’s local chassis development team has been tasked once again to revisit the i40’s suspension, ride and handling.

The Australian team worked to capitalise on the new 32-bit motor-driven steering system by matching it with various combinations of springs, dampers and stabiliser bars. The result, Hyundai claims, is better road feel and improved ride quality over undulating surfaces.

The 2015 Hyundai i40 Series II range is now available priced from $33,090 plus on-roads.