Hyundai has taken its styling pen to the i20 B-segment hatch and created a three-door version that is 'significantly differentiated' from the five-door. It is calling this the i20 Coupé.
Exterior
Designed to appeal to a younger (or younger at heart) buyer, the i20 Coupé has raked A-, B- and C-pillars and a new grille that Hyundai calls a 'reverse hexagonal'. Although Ford calls it a 'trapezoid'. Anyway, fat wheel arches, revised bumpers, a rear spoiler and fresh 17-inch alloy wheels are all part of the i20 Coupé's make-up, while it will be available in, among other hues, Tangerine Orange - a colour not available on the five-door.
Interior
If you're feeling ridiculously brave, the orange body colour can be carried over into the interior; good luck selling that on. The dashboard features a central display screen and tidy design, while Hyundai says the i20 Coupé remains practical with a 336-litre, 'best-in-class' boot.
Mechanicals
Four engines will be available at launch (though not yet confirmed for Ireland), two petrol and two diesel, from 1.1- to 1.4 litres in capacity. The 1.1 diesel makes 75hp and 180Nm, the 1.4 diesel ups that to 90hp and 240Nm, while a 1.25-litre petrol unit delivers 84hp and 122Nm. A new 1.4-litre 'Kappa' petrol engine is the most powerful, with 100hp, but its 134Nm torque figure is some way shy of the diesels' torque. All engines, bar the 1.25, are mated to six-speed manual gearboxes (five for the 1.25) with a four-speed auto optional on the 1.4 petrol only. A three-cylinder, turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine will debut later in 2015.
Anything else?
The new i20, including the Coupé, is built in Europe, at the plant in Izmit, Turkey. Like all Hyundais, the i20 Coupé comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.