Hyundai i30 2017 production begins in Europe; may not come to India

Hyundai Motor Company's new i30 hatchback has hit the assembly lines at Nošovice plant in Czech Republic, which will go on sale in Europe in January 2017. Hyundai's facility at Czech Republic also rolls out models like the Tucson, the ix20 for the European market. The plant has an annual production capacity of 350,000 cars.

The new i30 was first showcased at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year. It is the first Hyundai vehicle to get the new turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol motor that develops 138hp. There's also a naturally aspirated 1.4-litre unit with 98hp output and a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder making 118hp. The 1.6-litre diesel mill is available in three states of tune- 94hp, 109 hp and 134hp. While the transmission in petrol and diesel will be handled by a six-speed manual, there will also be seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox in the 1.4-litre T-GDI petrol engine and the powerful diesel versions.

The new i30 is expected to come with a host of features such as Apple carplay, Android auto and wireless charging. On the safety front, the hatchback is expected to come equipped with autonomous emergency braking, smart cruise control, lane keeping assist system, driver attention alert and blind spot detection.

Although Hyundai i30 was rumoured for the Indian market, recent reports have said that i30 is unlikely to come to India as the current market condition is not suitable to introduce an expensive hatchback. Hyundai had also showcased i30 in India at the Auto Expo earlier this year. Hyundai currently has Elite i20 and i20 Active in its India portfolio and the gap between the two is too thin to accommodate a new hatchback.