Hyundai i10 Gets 800cc Turbo Engine

Hyundai i10, one of the models which benefited the most from the government scrapping bonuses around the world, will be upgraded with a new 800cc, three-cylinder turbocharged unit in the first half of 2010. The new powertrain is of course aimed at reducing fuel consumption and cutting CO2 emissions, with i10 often described as one of the models that perfectly complies with consumer demand during economic recession times.

The new version will be based on the Hyundai i10 Blue CNG concept showcased at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, autocar.co.uk wrote, with maximum output going around 90 horsepower. Emissions will go under the 100 g/km limit, the source added. Although the concept was based on a compressed natural gas (CNG) system, the future i10 will be powered by traditional gasoline due to the fact that CNG is less popular in the UK.

The South Korean manufacturer also plans to debut a minor facelift of the i10 next year, so media reports are indicating that the so-called i-Blue might be released at the same time with the upgrade. Built in India, the 800cc i10 will become the most expensive version of the whole range, but will be kept in almost the same price range as the other variants. Autocar writes that it will be close to the 1.2 Style which now costs 8,300 pounds (9,700 euros).

Hyundai i10 is one of the most popular models in the UK, mostly after the government rolled out the scrapping scheme that encourages buyers to trade-in an old car and purchase a new and greener model. Back in July, Hyundai said it received 10,000 orders for the i10.

"It’s crucial that we get the cars out to buyers as soon as possible, and not only because the customers want their nice new car. The government funds are fast running out, and we want to make sure Hyundai buyers can secure their slice of the scrappage handout before the scheme ends," Tony Whitehorn, Hyundai’s managing director, said.