Guess what? Someone's launched ANOTHER small crossover. Yeah, I know, big surprise, right? Still, this one is probably quite important because (a) it's a Hyundai, and (b) it's based on the impressive new i20 hatchback, which means (c) that it will likely sell like cakes what have been heated up.
Named after Bayonne, in France
The Bayon name is sorta-kinda a contraction of the Bayonne region of France, which according to Hyundai is "one of the most beautiful destinations in the south-west of France." Because the Bayon is pitched largely at European customers, it was thought that a Euro-centric name would be a good fit (although it makes us think of 'Bayou' which brings up images of Florida, but maybe that's just us...).
"As the SUV body type continues growing in popularity throughout the world, Hyundai saw a demand for a model capable of navigating European cities while at the same time providing enough space to meet customers' needs," says Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice President of Marketing & Product at Hyundai Motor Europe. "Class-leading connectivity and safety features, a sharp and distinctive design, and the integration of Hyundai's signature 48-volt mild-hybrid technology make BAYON stand out in its segment."
The Bayon is the seventh new Hyundai to be launched in the last 12 months, and with the Tucson currently sitting firmly at the top of the Irish bestsellers list, you'd have to bet that this new small crossover will go down well with Irish consumers too.
Looks-wise, it takes much of the styling of the larger Kona at the front, with slim LED lights and a gaping grille. Around the back, there seems to be a touch of Volkswagen about the design, but maybe that's because Hyundai's design chief left Volkswagen to go and work with the Koreans. "With its sharp look and integration of Hyundai's SUV key design elements, Bayon solidifies Hyundai's SUV design direction," says Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer at Hyundai Motor Group. "Bayon's unique and confident look, embodied in its strong lines and arrow-shaped lights, is expected to establish it as the most unique, outstanding entry in the thriving European B-segment SUV."
Two big screens
The Bayon will come with 15-inch steel wheels as standard, with 16 and 17-inch alloys available as an option. There will be nine colour choices - Mangrove Green Pearl (the colour of the car in these photos); Phantom Black Pearl; Polar White; Sleek Silver Metallic; Elemental Brass Metallic; Dragon Red Pearl; Aqua Turquoise Metallic; Aurora Grey Pearl; and Intense Blue Pearl. An optional black contrast roof is available with most of those paint choices.
Inside, there's a 10.25-inch screen for the main instruments, and in the centre an eight-(or optionally ten) inch screen for the infotainment system. Both screens come with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connections, and there's the option of a premium Bose stereo system.
The Bayon will also come with Hyundai's BlueLink connectivity services, which allows the driver, for instance, to mirror their Google or Apple calendar in the vehicle's infotainment system. If the calendar appointment also has an address, it can be imported directly into the vehicle's navigation system.
There's also a cloud-based connected navigation system that can re-route you around traffic snarls, live parking information, smartphone locking and unlocking, voice recognition, and more.
Big boot, clever luggage cover
The Bayon should also be pretty practical. Hyundai says that it has a "family-friendly interior" in spite of its compact size, and the boot is a useful 411 litres and has a versatile luggage cover. There's lots of safety kit from lane-keeping steering to pedestrian-detection emergency braking, and a driver attention warning.
So far, Hyundai has said that the Bayon will come with one engine - the 1.0-litre T-GDI turbocharged three-cylinder petrol. You can have it in either 100hp or 120hp forms, and the higher-power version comes with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Both versions get a six-speed 'intelligent manual transmission' (iMT) which allows the clutch to disengage when you lift off the throttle, letting the car coast to save fuel. The engine also gets continuously variable valve timing, and there's a seven-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic option too. That manual gearbox also get the option of 'rev matching' - blipping the throttle automatically on down-shifts to give you a smoother, race-driver-like gear change.