THE first eco model from Korea is being introduced by Hyundai as part of its new-look city car line up.
Powered by a one-litre, three cylinder petrol engine the new i10 supermini becomes the cheapest five-seater on the market with CO2 emissions below the 100g/km tax free threshold.
Its emissions are rated at 99g/km which means it is exempt from road tax for private buyers and also escapes the London congestion charge.
Priced from £9,195 the frugal i10 Blue is more than £1,000 cheaper than its nearest green rival, the Toyota iQ – and some £5,000 less than a diesel-powered VW Polo BlueMotion.
The three pot engine is new and has been specifically developed by Hyundai to power its new generation of eco cars.
Developing 68bhp it gives the car a top speed of 93mph and a 0 to 60 acceleration time 14.8 seconds yet despite the statistics it delivers quite a lively drive.
Hyundai is claiming the i10 Blue is capable of averaging 67.3mpg which gives it a range in excess of 500 miles on its eight gallon tank.
The car is fitted with a stop/start system, low rolling resistance tyres and a gear shift indicator to help you work through the five speed manual box.
In traffic the stop/start system worked well and there is enough guts in the engine to handle motorway work without any distress.
For a little car it is surprisingly nimble on the open road. It is fitted with an electric power steering system which is more efficient than hydraulic set ups but slightly less communicative.
Nevertheless there is little wrong with the way the i10 handles and around town it’s a cinch to drive and manoeuvre.
Air conditioning and electric front windows are standard fit but electronic stability controls, which are an option on other models in the new i10 range, are not available on the Blue model.
For the price, the car is well appointed and the layout of the dash smart and functional. The instrument cluster includes a rev counter and the car is now fitted with USB and iPod connections.
Tinted windows, central locking and front and side airbags are also standard and compared to rivals the Hyundai is very well appointed.
If there is an oversight – apart from the lack of stability controls – it is the absence of a trip computer. An mpg readout is a handy feature, especially on eco cars.
Outside the i10 has been smartened up with redesigned bumpers, body coloured side strips, and a new look to the light clusters and fog lamps.
There’s also a new chrome radiator grille and overall the i10 is a snazzy piece of kit.
For a small car it is roomy inside and the boot, with its additional underfloor storage, is relatively generous. For extra space the rear seats are foldable.
The i10 has become a top seller among superminis especially among private buyers. Under the scrappage scheme it was highly popular but even last year it outsold the likes of the Fiat 500, the Ford Ka and the Toyota Aygo in the UK.
The i10 Blue is part of a new range which is now priced from £8,195 for a 1.2-litre version to £9,595 for a 1.2 with auto gearbox and all models come with a five year unlimited mileage warranty package which includes RAC cover.
As small cars go the i10 is smack on for value for money motoring and the eco versions are absolutely competitive.
Hyundai will be rolling out its Blue Drive technology to other models later in the year which will see the introduction of eco versions of the larger i20 and i30 hatches in July with both targeted to come in below the 100g/km CO2 mark.