Hyundai will renew almost its entire range within the next two years.
Speaking at the European launch of the ix35, Hyundai’s new small SUV, in Italy, European president Han Chang Kyun said: “We will have 10 new models and model derivatives starting in 2010 with the ix35.”
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Beyond the ix35, the new cars will include three new cars in segments not already occupied by Hyundai, three new versions of existing cars and three significant facelifts.
Of most note is a new, small, front-drive, sporty coupe based on the i30 and sharing much of the styling of the 2007 Veloster concept. This will be powered by a 1.6 or 1.6 turbo engine, according to UK managing director Tony Whitehorn. He added: “It will be a three-door car like the Mini Clubman but, unlike the Clubman, in right-hand drive markets the [rear] door will be on the correct side.”
He noted that Hyundai had engineered the car for both left and right-hand drive markets.
Ahead of the coupe, which at present is only codenamed FS, will come a B segment mini MPV at the end of this year to rival cars such as the Renault Modus and Nissan Note.
Also included in the range regeneration will be a Mondeo rival called i40 at the start of 2011 and 2012 will see the introduction of an all-new large 4×4 to replace the Santa Fe which will wear ix45 badging.
Finishing the new model rush will be a seven-seat mini-MPV to rival the Ford S-Max and Opel/Vauxhall Zafira later in 2012.
