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29/05/2009
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Hyundai's new i30 cw wagon is a lot more than simply a hatchback with a different rear end. Because the wagon has been significantly extended in comparison with the i30 hatch, which been a big success on the Australian market since its launch in October 2007.
 The new wagon has a longer wheelbase, by 20 mm, and a substantially greater overall length by 230 mm. The result is decent legroom in the back seat. The wagon can carry four full-sized adults with ease, offering good legroom as well as plenty of headroom. The latter thanks to the extended roofline that carries its full height a fair way rearwards.
There's a good load area in the rear with plenty of volume and the sort of easy loading that is demanded by buyers of station wagons. Hyundai has chosen to fit a full-size spare wheel for Australian imports, however this hasn’t taken a lot of depth away from the cargo area.
Hyundai makes no secret of the fact that it's chasing business and fleet buyers with this wagon. In the interests of safety the load area has a cargo net as standard and a steel net-type barrier is an option for those planning to carry heavier items. The barrier can be installed either behind the back seat or, when the seat is folded down, behind the front seats, creating a small-van interior.
The option to fit the barrier behind the front seats is currently restricted to the two upper level models in the range, the SLX and Sportswagon, but not on the price-leading SX version. This may change in an upgrade of the range in the near future.
 Surprisingly to Australians, the South Korean company doesn’t think of its new i30 variant as being a full wagon, but rather a crossover between a hatchback and a station wagon. Hence the ‘cw’ in the title – it stands for ‘crossover wagon’. However, we feel that by Australian standards it really is a pure wagon.
The new i30 cw wagon is sold with the choice between a 2.0-litre 105 kW petrol engine and a 1.6-litre 85 kW turbo-diesel. Torque figures are 186 Nm at 4600 rpm on the petrol unit, and 255 Nm on the diesel. The diesel’s top torque figure spreads upwards from just 1900 rpm and goes all the way up to a useful 2750 revs.
Five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions are offered in the SX variants. The SLX and Sportswagon are only available with the automatic.
Our road testing of the i30 cw for the past week has been with the SLX sporting a diesel engine as Hyundai is keen to promote this economy unit. We were impressed with the relative lack of turbo lag and the strong pulling power once the turbocharger was up to speed.
Economy is a strong feature of the little Hyundai diesel engine, with fuel usage of below six litres per hundred kilometres being achievable on motorways and when driving on easy-paced country roads. Around town it was normal to see figures in the seven to eight litre range even when driven with no real attempt at fuel economy.
Both the suspension and steering have been specially tuned by Hyundai engineers to suit our local tastes, a strong indication of how important the Australian market is to this company.
Though it's no sports wagon in the European manner, the Hyundai i30 cw wagon has a nice feel on the road. It offers prompt turn-in and holds the road well through bends. It's more than willing to change direction on winding roads, as well as when asked to deviate due to the radius of the road altering part way through a corner.
 We felt that the ride comfort was generally good, though some may find it a little too firm on rough roads. We feel that's a small price to pay for the sporting nature of the suspension.
Hyundai’s new i30cw is a practical small-medium wagon of the type that may appeal to many Australian buyers in these uncertain times. Indeed, we can see sensible companies who need a moderate load carrier opting for plenty of them.
In recent years station wagon sales in Australia have been on the decline as buyers have opted for 4WDs and SUVs. But the savage slowing of the economy and increased awareness of environmental concerns may see a swing back in the direction of conventional station wagons. If so, Hyundai has probably given us exactly the right vehicle for the times. We wait with interest the sales stats coming in over the next six to twelve months.
AT A GLANCE
2009 HYUNDAI i30 cw
MODEL RANGE
CRDI SX 1.6-litre diesel five-door wagon
SX 2.0-litre petrol five-door wagon
CRDI SLX 1.6-litre diesel five-door wagon
SLX 2.0-litre petrol five-door wagon
Sportswagon 2.0-litre petrol five-door wagon
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Optional in all models
CD Player: Standard in all models
Central Locking: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Not offered in SX, standard in SLX and Sportswagon
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Not offered in SX, standard in SLX and Sportswagon
Stability Control: Standard in all models
Traction Control: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Hyundai i30 cw CRDI SX 1.6-litre diesel five-door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.582 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 17.3:1
Bore/Stroke: 77.2 mm x 84.5 mm
Maximum Power: 85 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 255 Nm @ 1900-2750 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Five-speed
Automatic Transmission: Four-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 3.941:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4475 mm
Wheelbase: 2700 mm
Width: 1775 mm
Height: 1520 mm
Turning Circle: 10.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1449 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 53 litres
Towing Ability: 500 kg (1200 kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, McPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Independent, multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 4.7 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 8/10
Air Pollution Rating: 5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Five years/unlimited km |
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