Currying favour with bargain hunters

8:23am Friday 4th April 2008

A CITY car from India is promising to curry favour with British bargain-hunters who want cheaper and greener motoring without compromising on quality.

The Hyundai i10 has been launched this week priced from £6,495 OTR, carrying the same five-year warranty as bigger Hyundai models.

It's launched with an exceptional finance offer that means an i10 could be yours for £99 per month.

And unlike some eastern imports whose residual values have fallen like a stone, the New Car Data for March has predicted that i10 future values based on three years and 60,000 miles will be an amazing 39%, which is higher than European city car rivals and similar to some premium marques.

It's another boost for the Indian motor industry, which has gained credibility through Suzuki products and by last week's acquisition of Land Rover and Jaguar by the Tata corporation.

Already carrying the title of Indian Car of the Year 2008, the latest small car from the Korean-based manufacturer is a replacement for the tall and boxy Hyundai Atoz, which has an image of silver hair and blue badges.

But the i10 is going for a much younger buyer and could even end up stealing sales from its popular stablemate the Kia Picanto, with which it shares some mechanicals.

Hyundai say it's designed to be fun to drive, affordable and practical while offering quality and equipment that no other rival can offer at the price.

With diminutive dimensions of just 3.56m long and 1.59m wide, the i10 promises to be easy to thread through city traffic and a pleasure to park in tight car parks.

Although it has compact overall dimensions, the i10 has a wheelbase of 2.38m, which is exceptionally long for this class. With the wheels pushed far into each corner there is more space inside for people and luggage, plus it gives the i10 big car' refinement and handling attributes.

Unlike some competitors, the i10 is a full five-seater and has five-door practicality as standard.

Hyundai promises that i10 owners won't feel they're driving something that has been stripped out to keep costs low. Even the entry-level Classic model at £6,495 has air conditioning as standard - unique in this class - along with electric front windows, central locking, electric power steering, tinted glass, 14-inch wheels, body coloured bumpers and an integrated six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo.

The mid-range Comfort from £7,095 has additional features such as rear electric windows, remote control central locking and 14-inch alloy wheels.

The top-of-the-range Style at £7,595 - less than some rivals' entry level models - adds a rear spoiler, 15-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and even an electric sunroof.

To ensure high safety standards across the range, all i10s have four airbags with a passenger side cut-off switch, allowing a child seat to be fitted in the front if required.

All i10 models are powered by a 67PS, 1.1-litre petrol engine mated to either a manual or an optional automatic gearbox. The gearstick is mounted on the centre console to improve ergonomics and free up the space between the driver and the passenger seat.

Manual versions are capable of an official average fuel consumption of around 60mpg and produce just 119g/km of CO2, qualifying for the VED tax disc' rate of £35 a year and exemption from the new London Congestion Charge.

Insurance costs will be reasonable too, as all i10s are placed in the lowly group 2E.

Hyundai's finance offer should see the i10 off to a flying start, boasting that the £99 per month deal is less than a meal for two at a posh restaurant.

A customer who buys a mid-range i10 1.1-litre petrol Comfort could pay a deposit of £1,250 and a first one-off payment of £254. This would be followed by £99 a month for 35 months. The customer will then have the option to make a final payment of £2,993 to own the i10 outright - or they can hand it back to their dealer.

Hyundai say it's ideal for someone who has passed the driving test and wants their first set of wheels, or perhaps someone looking to downsize to a smaller car because of the tax and CO2 savings.

Sales are predicted to reach 10,000 a year in the UK, doubling Hyundai's presence in the city car sector.

Guy Pigounakis, sales director of Hyundai Motor UK says: "With finance available from £99 month, we will be able to talk to an entirely new audience of potential customers, especially those younger purchasers.

"The i10's exciting styling, outstanding dynamics and affordability will make it irresistible".

The finance offer is available until May 30. Further details and full terms and conditions can be found on V, by calling 0800 981 981, or from your local Hyundai dealer.

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