2020 Hyundai i20 debuts with new design, tech and mild hybrid

Hyundai’s all-new B-Segment hatch boasts new design language, will come with new infotainment and safety tech, as well as mild-hybrid drivetrain

Hyundai has recently debuted the all-new 2020 Hyundai i20. The B-segment hatch features the brand’s latest design language, comprehensive connectivity equipment as well as comprehensive safety package in the segment. Moreover, this will be the first i20 to come with a 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrain.

The all-new Hyundai i20 will be 30mm wider, 5mm longer and 24mm shorter, while the wheelbase had been increased by 10mm. Likewise, the boot will be increased up to 351-litres.  The dynamic design is dominated by sharp and edgy surfaces which are both familiar and fresh. The all-new i20 will come fitted with a set of 17-inch alloy wheels.

Although Hyundai did not release any pictures of the i20’s interior, the interior design will be completely new as well. The design will feature a “horizontal blade” design that covers the high portion of the dashboard, which Hyundai says to give “a very unconventional look by making the front fascia look slick and wide.” Moreover, the i20 will have LED ambient lighting.

While being offered with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, the all-new i20 will feature a 10.25-inch digital cluster and centre touchscreen visually combined. In addition, the touchscreen will have split-screen functionality.

Even more, the all-new Hyundai i20 will have a wireless charging pad in the centre console. Additionally, a USB charging port is available for passengers at the rear. For the European market, the i20 will come fitted with a premium eight-speaker Bose audio system which includes a sub-woofer.

On top of that, the all-new i20 will be offered with Hyundai’s Bluelink technology. This allows access to services such as Hyundai LIVE services, as well as remote features via the Bluelink smartphone app. With a five year subscription, drivers will be able to access features such as:

• Hyundai LIVE Services: real-time traffic information powered by TomTom, fuel stations/parking spaces (with prices), speed cameras* and weather updates
• Online voice recognition: powerful online (cloud-based) voice recognition with natural language understanding
• Bluelink app services:
  • Find my car: drivers can locate their vehicle easily in an unfamiliar setting
  • Remote services: drivers can remotely lock their cars
  • Send to car (POI): search for local POIs and send results to car’s navigation system
  • Security: vehicle alarm notification
  • Maintenance: receiving vehicle report (e.g. tyre pressure), driving information

Besides its comprehensive infotainment features, the all-new i20 will come with Hyundai SmartSense suite of safety and driving assistance features which includes:

• [New] Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC)
• [New] Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LDVA)
• [New] Lane Following Assist (LFA)
• [New] Blind-spot Collision-avoidance Assist (BCA)
• [New] Rear Cross-traffic Collision Assist (RCCA)
• [New] Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse (PCA-R)
• [New] Parking Assist (PA)
• [New] Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) – [New] now with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Lane Keep Assist System (LKA)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)

Hyundai will be offering two engine and three transmission choices in the all-new i20. For the top range models, the choice of engines will be a 99 bhp or a 118 bhp 1.0 T-GDi engine. For the first time, the i20 will get a 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrain can be fitted on this engine as an option for the 99 bhp engine and will be available as standard with the 118 bhp engine.

In terms of transmissions, the 48-volt system will be matched with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or a newly developed six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT). iMT decouples from the engine when the driver releases the accelerator, allowing the car to enter into coasting mode.

For engines minus the 48-volt mild-hybrid system, the 99 bhp 1.0 TGDi will be available with the seven-speed dual-clutch or a six-speed manual gearbox. While entry-level models will come with an 83 bhp 1.2-litre MPi four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission.

Moreover, despite the gain in size, the i20 will be 4% lighter than its predecessor. In addition, Idle Stop and Go is standard across the range.

The all-new i20 will be produced in Europe at Hyundai’s production plant in İzmit, Turkey, and will be unveiled at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show.