Hyundai i10 (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

This is the new second-gen Hyundai i10. Aimed directly at the VW Up, Hyundai’s new city car will take the fight to Volkswagen armed with a roomier cabin and trickle-down luxury car gadgets, like automatic climate control, a heated leather steering wheel, and cruise control.

The new i10 has undergone a generous growth spurt. It’s a sizeable 80mm longer than the old car, and 65mm wider. Hyundai claims the dimensions increase has blessed the i10 with best-in-class legroom and storage space – the boot is 10% bigger than before, at 252 litres. That’s one litre – yes, one – more than the VW Up musters. Like the outgoing model, there’s a solitary bodystyle on offer – a five-door hatchback.

Hyundai is set to beat the VW Up (and its Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii sisters) in spaciousness, standard equipment, and overall value. Expect i10 prices to range from £8000 – £12,000; official numbers will be announced the car’s Frankfurt motor show debut in September.

You’ll immediately spot the i10’s lower stance. Hyundai’s lopped 50mm off the height of the new i10 versus its boxy predecessor. With a 5mm wheelbase stretch and revised rear suspension, the lower i10 promises a more agile drive.

Hyundai’s new baby has been entirely designed and developed at the Korean brand’s Russelheim facility in Germany, to cater European tastes, which will form 90% of its overall market. All new Hyundai i10s will be built in Europe – Turkey, to be exact. Hyundai hopes to sell more than 23,000 annually in the UK.

It’ll vary between markets, but UK buyers will (like the VW Group triplets) have a petrol-only line-up to choose from. Hyundai hinted the new i10 will be powered by updated versions of the existing model’s three-cylinder 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre four-pot, each boasting improved power, torque and CO2 outputs.

By Ollie Kew