The i40 will compete in the European market D-segment with VW Passat, Ford Mondeo, Renault Laguna and Toyota Avensis.
Designed and developed by Hyundai’s German R&D centre in Russelsheim with European buyers in mind, the look is influenced by the South Korean automaker’s Genus Concept model from 2006. Hyundai’s mid-sizer will be available with the same range of petrol and diesel engines as its sister model, the new Kia Optima.
At launch, engines will be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol with direct injection and an output of 170-horsepower, and two variants of the firm’s 1.7-liter turbo-diesel with 115 HP and 136 HP. The South Korean automaker will further enhance the i40′s engine range with a more powerful diesel unit starting from 2012.
The new i40 in estate form will make its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March.