Hyundai at Geneva: i-Flow – 2011 Hyundai i40 for Europe UPDATE +video

The impressive Hyundai i-Flow at Geneva - next year's Hyundai i40

Last week we reported that Hyundai were taking the i-Flow concept to Geneva, a flowing, hybrid, D-Segment car that embodies the future aspirations of Hyundai. But it’s much more than that. It is, to all intents and purposes, the 2011 Hyundai i40 for the European market.

Remarkably, despite us reporting that the Hyundai i-Flow is actually next years’ Euro/UK i40, most reports coming out of Geneva this week are still churning out Hyundai’s line that the  “…i-flow’s looks and technology point the way to a new D-segment family car.” Which they do, but specifically so.

The man from Hyundai told us that the Hyundai Sonata and Hyundai i45 recently launched in the US/Asia/Oz aren’t suitable for the European market, so won’t be sold here. Instead, the i-flow at Geneva – doubtless toned down a little – will be the Euro Hyundai i40. It’s the same under the skin as the Sonata but offers a much sexier body and interior, with some clever materials from BASF.

The i-Flow also sports a diesel hybrid, with a 1.7 litre turbo diesel Lithium Ion-Polymer battery and a six-speed, dual-clutch ‘box delivering 94mpg and CO2 emissions of 85g/km. It seems highly likely that next year’s Euro Hyundai i40 will come with this hybrid on offer as well as the usual assortment of diesel and petrol lumps.

Just to reiterate – so no one is in any doubt – the man from Hyundai told Cars UK last week:

“The Sonata (sold now in Korea and the US) is not the same as the car that will come to Europe. They do share a platform, but that’s all. The Sonata and i45 have been designed with those markets in mind. The i-flow car has been designed with European consumers in mind and will be with us this time next year.”

Which is pretty clear.

By Cars UK