Hyundai’s new Indian-built, B-segment i20 will have anti-whiplash head restraints as standard to cater for the new, tougher Euro NCAP crash tests, which will assess whiplash injuries.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
A Hyundai UK spokesman said the new line would also have side curtain airbags standard, range-wide, unlike some rival models.
“Some other manufacturers might have sneaked through without having to have them across the range but, if you want to get five stars in future, you have to have the [anti-whiplash] head restraints and side curtain airbags from the very bottom of the range, so that’s what we’ve done,” he said.
Hyundai is in the process of renewing much of its model line. The A-segment i10, also sourced from India, has replaced the Amica and the i20, on sale here in the UK from January, is completely new. The C-segment i30, currently sourced from Korea, will shortly switch to a Czech Republic factory which is coming on stream several months early.
The i20 will be offered with four engines – a 78bhp 1.2-litre petrol, 75 and 90bhp 1.4-litre turbodiesels and a 100bhp 1.4-litre petrol unit.
Hyundai Europe president interview
