Hyundai i30 (2012): the first official rendering

Hyundai will show its new i30 family hatch at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show. This first rendering show the new 2012 i30 for the first time - are we alone in detecting more than a hint of Vauxhall Astra in profile?

The i30 is Hyundai's Golf and Focus rival and is Hyundai's biggest selling model in Europe.

They're not about to mess with a winning formula. This first design rendering suggests the new i30 will continue where the old one left off: a neat, inoffensive, European flavour, matched by quality build and attractive pricing and equipment levels. Not to mention the longest warranty on offer in Europe.

Why so European? Because Hyundai - and Kia - realised that to compete properly in Europe, rather than peddle the Korean tat from the 1980s and 1990s, it had to sell cars aimed at the local market.

That's why the new Hyundai i30 - like the old one - is being engineered in Russelsheim, Germany (ironically, in the Astra's home town) and built in eastern Europe.

The Koreans' 'fluidic sculpture' design language continues unabated. There's the usual piffle about 'flowing lines inspired by nature', but the latest iteration of the look is to pump up the hexagonal front grille and jewel-style headlamps.

Head of European design Thomas Bürkle said: 'The car is very close to the recently unveiled i40, and we want people to recognise the Hyundai design DNA on those two models.'

By Tim Pollard