In response to consumer and media feedback, Hyundai Australia announced today a tidal wave of changes for some of its core products, namely the 2011 Hyundai i45 (Sonata in other markets). Follow the jump to see what Hyundai has in store for its Australian line-up for the 2011 model year.[Source: The Motor Report]
2011 Hyundai i20
The 2011 Hyundai i20 now gets Bluetooth hands-free connectivity standard across the range. Dashboard illumination is changed from orange to the familiar blue already offered in nearly all Hyundai vehicles today. Side and curtain airbags are now standard across the range for the 2011 model year. Stability control, traction control and ABS have been available on all i20 models since launch.
The new standard equipment adds $500 to the sticker price of the entry level i20 Active, but the Elite and Premium prices stay the same. The range now stretches from $15,490 to $23,490.
2011 Hyundai i30
The popular Hyundai i30 gets some minor cosmetic updates in the form of black headlamp bezels, plus a dark silver finish for the mid-spec SLX's 16-inch rims. Wagon variants get silver roof rails. Inside, Bluetooth connectivity is standard on all models and a one-touch triple turn signal is fitted to the i30 SLX and i30 SR. A follow-home headlight function has also been added to all models.
All variants bar the i30 SR and i30cw Sportswagon undergo a $200 price rise, however dealership drive-away pricing of $19,990 has been retained for the entry-level i30 SX.
2011 Hyundai i45
The 2011 i45 has undergone the most radical changes, with criticism of the car's handling at launch prompting the company to develop a new suspension package for the mid-size sedan. Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD), previously only available on the i45 Premium, are now fitted to the entire range. The damper tune has also been revised to give less damping force at low speeds and a firmer ride at high speed, eliminating the 'looseness' reported by various media publications at the model's launch earlier this year. Front spring rates are also 15 percent firmer, while the rear spring rates rise 6 percent. The front swaybar is now 1mm thicker, with the rear swaybar growing 3mm.
Extra sound deadening has been added to the rear wheelarches, improving noise suppression.
i45 Premium models now enjoy front seat heaters and sat-nav with integrated Bluetooth as standard. The sat-nav unit is unique to Australian i45s, and is sourced from Continental. Although only the Premium gets it as standard, it's available as a $1000 option on the i45 Active and Elite.
Prices rise $100 for the i45 Active and i45 Elite (thanks to the adoption of ASD suspension), while the Premium goes up $1000 due to the addition of satellite navigation. The base i45 Active manual now costs $29,590, while the i45 Premium now retails at $38,990.
2011 Hyundai ix35
The ix35 range is joined by a new model for 2011. Due to high customer demand, the Highlander variant – previously only available with a 2.0 litre turbodiesel – can now be had with a 2.4 litre petrol engine.
Available only with a six-speed automatic transmission, the ix35 Highlander 2.4 petrol joins the range from November 2010 and will retail from $35,490 - $3000 cheaper than the existing Highlander diesel.
Rear parking assist is now standard across the ix35 range, as is Bluetooth phone and audio integration.
The electronic power steering has come in for some minor changes to improve steering feel, and in response to criticism of harsh ride quality all AWD variants now get ASD suspension as standard.
More sound insulation also improves the cabin ambience, however the electrically-adjusted driver's seat on the Active has been deleted. Highlander variants now get rear privacy glass as standard.
Retail pricing remains static for the base ix35 Active, while the Elite variants and Highlander diesel rise by $500. Price of entry is still $26,990 for the ix35 Active manual, while the range-topping ix35 Highlander diesel is now $38,490.
