Hyundai Australia won’t be taking new orders for its i30 hatchback until at least May 2024.
Production for the current i30 hatch for Australia is ending in Korea, and won’t be restarting. An updated model sourced from Europe is bound for our shores, but won’t be arriving until the middle of 2024 at the earliest.
Although there are some examples of the outgoing car on their way to dealers and existing order holders at the moment, there will be a gap between when those cars run out – likely at the end of 2023 – and when the new car touches down.
That leaves Hyundai without what’s arguably its best-known car in Australia, and is half of the brand’s best-selling line alongside the newer sedan.
Hyundai is banking on better supply of the Venue SUV and entry-level Kona SUV to help fill the void on the VFACTS sales charts.
It’s also leaning on the i30 sedan, which is a separate model to the hatch that will continue to be sourced from Korea, to pick up some slack.
When it does touch down, the new i30 hatchback will be more expensive than the current model.
Along with a new look, the updated model will bring a more efficient 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology to Australia.
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Where the current i30 features a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol making 120kW of power and 203Nm of torque, hooked up to a six-speed automatic, the new model coming from Europe will pack 117kW of power and 253Nm of torque.
A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and 48V mild-hybrid tech help keep fuel consumption down at 6.1 litres per 100km.
This new technology, along with the cost associated with shipping cars from Europe instead of Korea, will mean the new i30 will be more expensive.
The current range kicks off at $24,000 before on-road costs.
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