Hyundai has rejuvenated its Grand i10 range in South Africa with new features and added a new entry derivative to give this popular entry-level model a fresh appeal in the local automotive market.
The Grand i10 hatchback, which is the smallest new car in the local Hyundai range, has taken over the role of entry-level model after the i10 was discontinued.
“We had a relook at the Grand i10 range, change the specification levels and added a new entry derivative with a 1-litre engine and the Motion specification level. The end result is a hatchback model with a variety of derivatives that offer exceptional value,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
“There is a choice in the Grand i10 range for many different buyers – from the young first-time owner or student who wants an affordable car, to the buyer of a second family car with generous luxury features or someone who want to downscale to a smaller, yet comfortable vehicle later in life.”
The Grand i10 is remarkably spacious inside, yet small in overall diameters, and is filled with standard features that has made it an entry-level top-seller in the Hyundai arsenal in South Africa.
The revised line-up of this smallest hatchback in the Hyundai range consists of six derivatives –three powered by the new 1-litre 3-cylinder engine delivering 48 kW at 5 500 r/min and 94 Nm maximum torque at 3 500 r/min.; and the other three using the 1.25-litre 4-cylinder engine which delivers 64 kW at 6 000 r/min. and 120 Nm maximum torque at 4 000 r/min.
The 1-litre derivatives are the 1.0 Grand i10 Motion (5-speed manual); 1.0 Grand i10 Motion (4-speed auto); and the 1.0 Grand i10 Fluid, also with the 5-speed automatic gearbox.
The derivatives with the more powerful engine are the flagship 1.25 Grand i10 Glide (5-speed manual); and the flagship 1.25 Grand i10 Fluid (5-speed manual) and 1.25 Grand i10 Fluid (4-speed auto).
Prices for the range start at R149 900 for the Grand i10 Motion (manual), up to R206 900 for the 1.25 Grand i10 Fluid auto, which is only a R3 000 increase on the present top-of-the-line model.
A passenger airbag has now been added in all the derivatives to the driver’s airbag, and steering wheel remote controls, including buttons for the Bluetooth connectivity for cell-phones and an integrated microphone also forms part of the upgraded features across the range.
The Grand i10 Fluid and Glide derivatives boast standard convenience features such as electrically heated side mirrors that can also fold in at the touch of a button, and an “infotainment” centre with a large full-colour touch-screen where, among a variety of features, one’s telephone Bluetooth pairing can be done.
Customers also has the option to buy a SD memory card for R2 500 to activate the navigation system on the infotainment system in the derivatives with the Fluid and Glide specification level.
With a 2-year or 30 000 km service plan thrown in as part of the standard package of the Fluid and Glide derivatives, the Grand i10 presents great value.
Design and styling
Influenced by Hyundai Motor Company’s design philosophy, “fluidic sculpture”, the Grand i10 features sleek and substantial lines that makes the hatchback look dynamic and somewhat larger than its actual dimensions.
The body shell of the Grand i10 yields one of the roomiest occupant cabins on the market, as well as an impressive 256 litres of trunk capacity. Up to 1 202 litres become available when the rear seats are folded – also one of the best in its class. New levels of craftsmanship can be found in the spacious interior, together with levels of comfort and safety equipment commonly only found in segments above.
The sleek exterior design of the Grand i10 ensures a drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0,35, which is aided by detailed improvements such as windscreen sealing that does not protrude into the airstream. The aerodynamic shape reduces wind noise as well as fuel consumption, contributing to very low noise levels.
The Grand i10 incorporates the hexagonal grille, the signature front end for Hyundai Motor’s cars, which clearly showing its family DNA and providing a link to its larger siblings. Grand i10 Fluid and Glide derivatives boast a chrome grille in front, as well as alloy wheels. The Motion derivatives are equipped with steel wheels with an attractive cover.
Colour-coded door handles and side-mirrors, with turn indicators built into them, combine with the attractive alloy wheels (in the Fluid and Glide specification levels) to create a very good-looking small hatchback.
At the rear a combination lamp with a spoiler and built-in LED lamp gives the Grand i10 attractive looks seen from behind.
The Grand i10 1.25 Glide is equipped with LED daytime running lights.
Interior styling and trim differs from black cloth for the Motion and Fluid derivatives, to black leather and red cloth for the Grand i10 Glide. The Glide also sports red inserts on the instrument and door panels, as well as the centre console.
The Grand i10 is available in 8 exterior colours, including Star Dust, Phantom Black and Polar White to a lovely Flame Orange, Fiery Red and Wine Red. Marina Blue and Sleek Silver complete the choice of colours.
Long list of standard features
Among the many features of the revised Grand i10 are luxury items such as the infotainment centre with Bluetooth connectivity, USB and AUX ports for the sound system, keyless entry and electrically heated and folding side mirrors for the Fluid and Glide derivatives; and an air conditioner and central locking for all the derivatives.
All Grand i10 derivatives are also equipped with a full-size spare wheel, height adjustment for the driver’s seat, and remote controls for the sound system and driver’s information on the steering wheel.
Under the front passenger seat is a handy storage tray, while the driver’s seat belt’s shoulder mounting point is height-adjustable. Front, as well as rear passengers have height-adjustable headrests. A handy trip computer displays inter alia fuel consumption and range left with the fuel in the tank.
The flagship Glide derivative also has park distance control sensors in the rear bumper.
Spirited Kappa engine delivers excellent fuel economy
The Grand i10’s 1,25-litre engine belongs to Hyundai Motor’s popular “Kappa” engine family and incorporate a range of advanced technical features that raise power and torque, and enhance smoothness and driveability.
Outstanding features of the Kappa’s modern architecture include: A dual overhead camshaft (DOHC), dual continuously variable valve timing (CVVT), a very stiff cast aluminium block with cast iron liners, aluminium cylinder head, light connecting rods and maintenance-free long-life timing chain.
The 1 248 cc engine delivers 64 kW peak power at 6 000 r/min., and reaches its maximum torque delivery of 120 Nm at 4 000 r/min. The power is delivered in a spirited fashion and the small, yet perky engine never gives the impression that it is labouring.
Fuel consumption can be as low as a measured 5,9 litres per 100 km, and 6,9 litres per 100 km for the 1.25-litre derivatives with the four-speed automatic gearbox.
The fuel-consumption of the 1-litre engine is 5,4 litres per 100 km for the manual gearbox derivatives, and 5,9 litres per 100 km for the automatic version.
Suspension and road manners
The McPherson strut front suspension of the Grand i10 and its electric motor assisted steering system provides accurate positioning on the road and good handling characteristics.
At the rear, a coupled torsion beam suspension ensures comfortable driving with a stable and firm grip on the road. Improvements to the trailing arm geometry and rear coil springs of the rear suspension have contributed to the secure handling and comfortable ride of the Grand i10.
The body shell of the Grand i10 has exceptional torsional rigidity, due to the use of high-tensile steel that forms 29% of the body structure of the car.
The firm underpinnings not only improve the car’s impact-resistance, but also yield low levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The Grand i10’s noise levels are recorded as low as 38 decibels (dB) at idle and 65 dB at highway speed.
Dual airbags – one for the front passenger and the other for the driver – and an Advances Brake System (ABS) takes care of safety in the Grand i10, and are standard features in all derivatives.
Pricing
At a price range from R149 900 to R206 900 – with Hyundai’s five year or 150 000 km manufacturs’ warranty, additional two years or 50 000 km powertrain warranty, and five-year or 150 000 km roadside assistance thrown in – the Grand i10 offers exceptional value.
The Grand i10 range with their standard recommended retail prices is:
Grand i10 1.0 Motion manual R149 900
Grand i10 1.0 Motion automatic R169 900
Grand i10 1.0 Fluid manual R169 900
Grand i10 1.25 Fluid manual R189 900
Grand i10 1.25 Fluid automatic R206 900
Grand i10 1.25 Glide manual R202 900
In other motoring related news, Honda recently launched the all-new, latest-generation Honda Civic Type R in South Africa.
