Third generation Hyundai i30 revealed ahead of its Paris show debut

The exterior drops the fluidic styling for a more contemporary, mature design. It debuts Hyundai's "Cascading Grille" that will be the new identity of future Hyundais. It is flanked by Ioniq-inspired LED headlamps, projector foglamps that sit beside LED strips and inlets that create an air curtain on the front two wheels. The rear-end has also been redesigned, featuring new taillamps, upright windshield and repositioned reflectors.

Compared to the outgoing i30, the third gen hatchback is 40 mm longer (4,340 mm), 15 mm wider (1,795 mm) and 20 mm lower for the sportier stance. At 2,650 mm, its wheelbase is identical to the previous i30.

Inside, the 2017 Hyundai i30 borrows design cues from the Hyundai Ioniq hybrid, featuring an all new dashboard with a freestanding touchscreen display, fewer buttons, and a new instrument cluster. The multi-function steering wheel with silver trim is also plucked from the Ioniq. Boot volume is 395L, which can be increased to 1,301L with the rear seats folded.

Three petrol engine options will be available from launch: 1.4L MPI N/A, 1.0L T-GDI turbocharged and 1.4L T-GDI turbocharged petrol. All engines are fitted with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, while a 7-speed DCT is available for the 1.4L T-GDI variant.

Three diesel variants will also be offered, which are powered by just one engine – a 1.6 four-cylinder paired with a 6-speed manual. Customers can choose between three states of tune: 94bhp/280Nm, 109bhp/280Nm and 134 bhp/280 Nm. The 134 bhp variant can be equipped with a 7-speed DCT, which has its torque output bumped to 300 Nm.