THE second wave of Hyundai’s long-term assault on the new car market is underway – and the Korean producer believes it will result in a sales bonanza. Hot on the heels of Ford Focus rival the i30 hatchback, comes the Hyundai i10, a midget gem the company believes will double its sales in the city car arena. The Korean giant has already pledged more than £200 million on a new plant in the Czech Republic to build a generation of cars tuned expressively for European tastes. And the manufacturer says that the i10 has been designed to be fun to drive, affordable and practical while offering quality and equipment no rival can offer at the price. With its length of a mere 3,565mm and 1,595mm width, the five-seater car should be easy to thread through city traffic and simple to park in tight spaces. But despite those compact dimensions, the Hyundai has 2,380mm wheelbase – and with the wheels pushed far into each corner there’s more space inside for people and luggage. Prices are expected to start at less than £6,500 and Hyundai is adamant owners won’t feel they’re driving something that’s been stripped out to keep costs low. Even the entry-level model will have air conditioning as standard – unique in this class. The i10 also has a proper tailgate rather than just a piece of glass, electric front windows, central locking, power steering, tinted glass, 14-inch wheels, body coloured bumpers and an integrated six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo. As for safety, all models will boast four airbags with a passenger side cut-off switch, allowing a child seat to be fitted in the front of the car if required. The only engine available is a 67PS, 1.1-litre petrol unit mated to either a manual or optional automatic transmission, while the gearshift is mounted on the centre console to free up space between the driver and passenger seat. Manual versions will be capable of an official average fuel consumption of more than 60mpg and produce just 119g/km of CO2, qualifying for the VED tax disc rate of £35 a year and exemption from the new London Congestion Charge proposals due to take effect next February. And like all Hyundai cars, the i10 will also be covered by a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. The first i10s will arrive at Hyundai dealerships in March 2008. | 
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