Hyundai i20 gets plenty of improvements

The Hyundai i20 is getting blue on the inside and greener under the bonnet.

Minor changes to the aerodynamics and engine have resulted in a boost in fuel efficiency for all engines, while the interior is now more stylish and better equipped.

The best-selling 1.2-litre petrol engine, already one of the most efficient in the class, drops its emissions by 5g/km to 119g/km. This results in a tax disc costing just £30 and company car tax benefit-in-kind rates of just 10%.

Buyers wanting the extra power of the 1.4-litre version will see even greater savings, with the Style models dropping by 13g/km to just 129g/km. This results in a drop of two Vehicle Excise Duty bands and a 4.3mpg improvement.

The two diesel engines also see significant savings, with the 75PS model dropping by 6g/km to just 110g/km. The 90PS version gains a six-speed gearbox which helps it achieve a 7.2% improvement in fuel economy.

These improvements have been made possible by adding a small spoiler to the underneath of the car to improve airflow around the wheels, fitting an Eco Drive indicator in the instrument panel to suggest the best point to change gear, using low friction engine oil and an alternator management system.

Inside, there are two blue additions. Firstly, the dashboard and instrument illumination is now blue rather than red, bringing the i20 into line with larger Hyundai models.

Secondly, Bluetooth phone connectivity with voice recognition is now added as standard on all models except the entry-level Classic.

The new i20 is available to order now, with prices starting at £9,520. All i20s are covered by a manufacturer-backed, unlimited mileage Five Year Warranty and are equipped with ESP and air conditioning as standard.