Unless, that is, we're talking about the racing version that made its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show last week and with which, the South Korean automaker will mark its return to the FIA World Rally Championship.
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Hyundai’s previews attempt with the Accent WRC did not yield the results that the team expected, so it withdrew in 2003. However, it had a long-term goal of setting up an in-house racing team in Europe and competing in the world’s top rally championship.
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The HB20 was not only designed for Brazil but it will also be the first model to be produced at Hyundai’s fully-owned new plant in Piracicaba, located in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Production of the sub-compact hatch will begin on September 20, while sales will start in early October.
"For Hyundai, the launch of HB20 means a lot more than simply presenting a new model. Unlike our other models currently offered in Brazil, HB20 is the first model strategically developed and produced exclusively for the Brazilian market," said Chang Kyun Han, President of Hyundai Motors Brazil.
Judging from the single teaser sketch and a video released by the South Korean carmaker, while similar in exterior dimensions, the HB20 and i20 will differ in styling with the Brazilian model sporting changes to the front and rear ends as well as the profile.
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The South Korean automaker said it took the decision because of the growing demand from Europe and Turkey for its A- and B-segment models. In addition to the B-segment i20 supermini that has been built in Turkey since 2010, the HAOS plant will produce the next generation of the A-segment i10 city car, starting from the end of 2013.
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The revamped Korean supermini sports Hyundai's new face with the hexagonal front grille, while you'll also find changes at the rear with the redesigned bumper and taillights. Inside, Hyundai says it has improved the quality with soft-touch plastics, plus a revised center console along with updated seat trims.
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In contrast, the overall European new car market declined by 7.3 percent in the first quarter of the year. The Korean automaker now holds a 3.3 percent share of the market.
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Along with the cosmetic tweaks that include a new fascia inspired Hyundai's latest crop of model like the i30 hatch, the 2012 model also debuts a new 1.1-litre 3-cylinder ‘U-II’ diesel engine that generates 75PS, which is equal to 74-horsepower.
Read more »The styling tweaks to the three-year old i20 were more or less to be expected, as the focus was to refresh the supermini and bring it more in line with the latest Hyundai models on the Europe market such as the i30 hatch and i40 sedan/estate.
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Our man with the long lens spotted a prototype model during winter testing in Europe wearing heavy camouflage around the front and rear ends as well as the door panels.
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The i20 Blue combines the standard model's 1.4-liter CRDi turbo diesel engine delivering 90-horsepower with Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG), low rolling resistance tires, rear suspension under cover and rear wheel deflectors.
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Both the i10 and i20 by Fiorucci models are characterized by the unique color combos inside and out as well as their upgraded standard equipment and the use of exclusive materials in the cabin.
The most vibrant proposal is the i10 by Fiorucci. It is available with a choice of five colors including Deep Ocean Blue, Oyster Gray, Sleek Silver, Stone Black or Crystal White, with details such as the mirror caps and grille finished in either Fuscia (pink) or Verde Lime (lime green).
In accordance with the most recent Initial Quality Study performed by J.D. Power and Associates, Hyundai's getting better and better (and that's no rumor). The numbers are in, and Hyundai came in 4th overall, falling behind Lexus, Porsche, and Cadillac, while beating Honda, Mercedes, and Toyota. Building on its drastically improved - and still-rapidly-improving image, it seems as if Hyundai is pumping more and more into its market offensive. 
According to just about everyone, Hyundai is happy with it's up-sized vehicles (the Genesis sedan and Coupe) for the moment and feels the need to expand and improve its smaller ones. I agree; it's about time to replace and upgrade cars like the Sonata, Tiburon, and Tucson with cars befitting the new Hyundai.
Over the next few years Hyundai will supposedly be releasing a slew of small and mid-size products, like the Tiburon replacement, a new small CUV, the next Sonata , and a couple of MPVs based on the i20 (which the US market doesn't get) and i30 (the States' Elantra Touring).
The Tiburon replacement will supposedly take themes from the Veloster concept (we can hope), which is a huge improvement over any of the Tiburons to date. This is significant because it will give Hyundai a sporty, affordable, FWD car that will slot in below the RWD Genesis Coupe while taking on the Civic Si and any number of European hot hatches.
The new compact-sized CUV, rumored to be based on the 2009 Geneva Show ix-onic concept, is going to be Hyundai's second volley over the Germans' bow. The ix-onic would make one hell of a replacement for the Tucson (no one actually takes those things off-road anyway, so why not look good?).
Then there's the next-gen Sonata. Everyone seems to be thinking it's going to move up and tackle cars like the Passat and Camry, which would be interesting. If this is the case, we've got to ask ourselves what the point of the Azera is. Maybe it'll be phased out, now that the Genesis is the big-dog full-size Hyundai (and since the Azera is based on the Sonata's platform). If the spy shots are any hint, the 4-door coupe theme is being adopted, and the wagon could end up looking like the slick Genus concept.
What about those MPVs? Well, people are theorizing the States could be getting one. It'll probably be the smaller, i20-based model (if at all), so as not to get too close to the next Tucson. That, and the smaller MPV could be built alongside the Kia Soul, which utilizes the same platform.
As for the engines, the only real solid info is that Hyundai had a 1.6 liter GDi turbo four-cylinder with 175 hp in the ix-onic concept, and it was mated to a double-clutch 6-speed auto. This mill, in one form or another, will probably end up finding its way under the hood of the Tiburon/Veloster and ix-onic/Tucson, and maybe even the Sonata (if they keep those numbers, the Sonata's mid-range engine could be the Genesis Coupe's 2.0T). That means the Sonata's V6 would probably be bumped up to the Azera's Lambda 3.8 liter with 275-horses, putting it just under the Genesis and squarely against the aforementioned Passat and Camry.
At the end of the day this column is still called Malignant Rumors, meaning what's found within is speculation lathered with hopes and dreams. I just wonder if it's really possible for Hyundai's potential future lineup to elevate the brand's status even further (that is, from wannabe-contenders with a few lucky shots to big-time players)? I guess we're about to find out.
Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel. When not back in Sparkle City, he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. Oh, and if for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.
European car safety testing body Euro-NCAP has announced its latest batch of results for six new cars. Five of these models, the Audi Q5, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20, Kia Soul and Peugeot 3008 received Euro NCAP's maximum five star award while Suzuki's made-in-India Alto scored only three stars, its rating limited by its performance in adult occupant protection, child protection and safety assistance technologies. Euro NCAP made a special note on the Honda Jazz and the Hyundai i20 as both cars managed to achieve a high score in pedestrian safety. "We would like to commend the Honda Jazz and the Hyundai i20 for their impressive pedestrian scores that not only meet current requirements, but also meet Euro NCAP's future requirements," Euro NCAP said in a statement.
All six vehicles were tested with Euro NCAP's new overall rating scheme that was introduced in 2009 and covers Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and a new area of assessment, Safety Assist. Under the new testing regime, vehicles are awarded a single overall score from one to five stars with the overall rating being based on the car's performance in each of the four main areas and the scores are weighted with respect to each other.
After an online leak spoiled Hyundai's plans, the Korean automaker decided to release the first official photos of the new three-door i20 ahead of its official unveiling at the Geneva motor show on March 3rd. There's not much to say about that the 3d i20 - besides being less practical than its 5-door twin, the only difference between the two variants concerns the upswept shape of the three-door's rear-side window.
Built on the same 2.525mm wheelbase and weighing 10-kilograms less than the i20 five-door, the new model will be available with the same engine range that includes three gasoline units (1.2L with 78PS, 1.4L with 100PS and 1.6L with 126PS) and four diesels (1.4L with 75 and 90PS and 1.6L with 115 and 128PS).
Hyundai expects that the1.2-liter petrol engine will be the best-selling power plant in the range.
The three-door i20 is available to order in most European markets, with the first examples arriving in UK showrooms this April.
