Hyundai might bring the 47mpg I10 stateside
Click image above for high-resolution gallery
Due to the downsizing trend observed in the United States, Hyundai is seriously considering selling the tiny I10 there. The strong sales of the Mini and the Smart have shown Hyundai that Americans are willing to buy small, clean and fuel-efficient cars. The problem for Hyundai is that the I10 plays in a different league; it's not a premium vehicle like the Mini and isn't quite as stylish as the Smart ForTwo. Still, the l10 is sold worldwide, and a U. S. version could spot different bumpers and changes to the suspension and the 1.2-liter 78hp Kappa engine. One thing we don't want Hyundai to change too much is the consumption figures of around the 5l/100 km (about 47 mpg U. S.).
Gallery: Hyundai i10
[Source: Automotive News via Le Blog Auto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kentavos 10:36AM (8/19/2008)
As long as it's cheap, (less than 9,000) it'll sell. And since when did the Smart become stylish? :)
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amg 11:05AM (8/19/2008)
Whether you like it or not, the smart fortwo does stand out in a crowd. There are two in my neighborhood already. I'd jump on board (I'm a fan of the styling) but not without an EV option. My car is too fuel-efficient (and I drive too infrequently) to justify investing in a new model that would only improve the economy by 5 MPG. Though I do hear they're second only to puppies in terms of drawing attention from the fairer gender.
Richard 10:54AM (8/19/2008)
Kentavos, the Smart has a sort of cult following, and it is cute. The price of the Hyundai is irrelevant if consumption goes by the Smart way. It needs to be economical. We need less consuming cars to take a bite out of energy costs and to ween ourselves off of oil. This car would be a huge step in that direction. No fancy hybrid, no expensive anything, and about the same gas mileage. Bring it on, I'll buy one!
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agleason2005 2:32PM (8/19/2008)
Interesting; definitely seems more bare-bones, but it could sell.
47 MPG is nice, but 78 HP would be tough with a full load. It seems to me that cars are going to have to get lighter again for economy to increase substantially, and I hope one day to drive an affordable carbon fiber passenger car. A 1,500 pound car with a 70 HP motor would drive quite differently from one that weighed 2,500 pounds with the same engine.
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calguy 11:34AM (8/20/2008)
When 15 year old Honda Civic VXs and Geo Metros are selling for almost as much as the cost new, there is definitely a market for a modern, cheap economical car.
Not everything needs to be a chic as a Cooper or fortwo. Though, it's inarguable that part of what snares buyers with those two models is the range of features they offer. As people come off the 'high' of larger cars, they don't want to compromise on stuff they're used to (like sunroof, leather, good design etc).
calguy 11:37AM (8/20/2008)
(sorry- my posting wasn't really a response to the agleason2005's comment. I meant it to be a new, unrelated message, but clicked the 'reply' box accidentally)
calguy 11:51AM (8/20/2008)
(sorry- my posting wasn't really a response to the agleason2005's comment. I meant it to be a new, unrelated message, but clicked the 'reply' box accidentally)
Efried 2:10PM (8/19/2008)
Well the CNG version of the i10 would be a real hit if it materialises...
www.recodrive.eu
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stevefazek 7:00PM (8/19/2008)
If they produced it in mexico and kept the cost under 9 grand it would be a good appliance car.
If its over 10K you better forget about it and make an appealing car.
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Mohan Nair 1:22PM (8/20/2008)
Unfortunately, it is only made in India for the world. The Chennai plant in southern India is the hub for making small cars for Hyundai.
brn 11:24AM (8/20/2008)
Can we stop headlining inappropriate MPG ratings already???
According to the article, they're going to add more weight and a bigger engine. You still headline 47mpg. US EPA testing is much more strict and results in lower numbers. You still headline 47mpg. Enough already!
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gamboa 5:30PM (9/08/2008)
i'm picking my 09 I10 tomorrow
coast me 9k and some change (under $50 dollars)
here in Panama their advertised too get
100km per gallon, and i let you know
it's a no bells and whistle model, hand crank windows
no sun roof, no ABS, or air bags like the protective
US models. my longest drive will be to the big
Pandemonium City about 80 miles once a month
for 1st world supplies. the rest of the time i have a
rebuilt Lada Neva that i use in my village
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