Hyundai i20 (2015): the first design renderings

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

01 August 2014 04:30

Hyundai today issued this pair of design renderings of the new i20, revealing a supermini with even more aspirations to be German.

With shades of mini Golf in both the front and rear design sketches, the new 2015 Hyundai i20 looks more European than ever.

This, of course, should come as no surprise, since the new i20 has been styled at Hyundai Motor’s Design Centre Europe in Rüsselsheim, Germany. And the man in win charge of the company’s design is none other than Peter Schreyer, formerly responsible for Kia’s wardrobe change and Audi design before that (including a role on the original TT).

Hyundai is calling this next iteration of its design language Fluidic Sculpture 2.0. This tagline has been used for some years to describe the company’s more sober couture compared with Kia’s edgier look – and the digital sounding 2.0 suggests an upgrade of sorts, rather than an altogether new direction.

The company claims the front of the new i20 encapsulates Hyundai’s new corporate face: the hexagonal grille bleeds into a thin horizontal strip connecting the headlamps – it’s a feature we should look out for on all future Hyundais.

Although this pair of renderings are heavily stylised (check out the ludicrously dished alloy wheels bursting out of the arches!), they do serve up a few other clues to Hyundai design trends. The C-pillar is confirmed to be black gloss, mimicking the original BMW Mini’s wraparound glazing for a floating roof aesthetic. This will be carried over into production, CAR understands.

Look out for the new 2015 Hyundai i20 at the Paris motor show in October. Full photographs and details of the i20 will be issued in August 2014.

The Europeanisation of Hyundai is intentional. The company sold 422,930 cars in Europe in 2013 – and more than 90% of them are designed and built in the EU.

In the UK, Hyundai has risen from the 21st most popular brand to become top 10 since the scrappage scheme of 2008. It sold 77,500 vehicles here in 2013.

By Tim Pollard