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News media release Friday, 23 November 2007
 
Hyundai i30 wins both 2007 Car of the Year and 2007 Green Car of the Year
 Sydney, Australia: The Hyundai i30 CRDi SX manual with protecz pack has won the prestigious CARSguide Car of the Year 2007 award. Praised by the judging panel for its style, handling and performance features, the i30 was also voted CARSguide Green Car of the Year for its market leading environmental credentials – and remains Australia’s most affordable diesel engine car.
Following an exhaustive evaluation and assessment process, the CARSguide national judging panel, which comprised some of Australia’s most prominent Motoring Editors and senior Motoring writers, agreed that the Hyundai i30 clearly outperformed all 48 original competitors.
Judged on criteria ranging from styling, safety, innovation, value, functionality, build quality and performance, the finalists were studied, dissected and scored in a variety of situations.
The cars were driven through a range of environments and road conditions, such as city, freeway, highway and country towns, to evaluate how competent they were in critical driving situations. Steering, handling, braking, and acceleration were also rigorously evaluated*.
Finalists were also put through their paces on Goulburn's Wakefield Park race circuit, enabling the judges to assess grip thresholds, tyre balance, chassis performance and suspension.
The winning i30 CRDi SX chosen by CARSguide judges featured Hyundai’s Protectz pack option, comprising electronic stability control (ESP) plus side and curtain airbags.
Kevin McCann, Director of Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Australia, comments "We're extremely proud that the i30 has received these two esteemed awards. With several class-leading innovations and our traditional outstanding value, we had no doubt that the i30 would succeed in giving all its competitors – including hybrids – a run for their money."
The journey to being voted number one:
The Hyundai i30 CRDi was determined the winner on an overall points basis, receiving 94 out of a possible 99 points. The judges assessed the cars against 10 criteria, before ranking the finalists from 1-11 (1 being the best) to determine the winning Car of the Year 2007.
The i30 which was only launched in Australia last month is designed to excite the senses. Styled in Germany, manufactured in Korea and optimised around Australia’s unique driving conditions the i30 represents a new face for Hyundai in Australia.
Hyundai i30 stand-out features include:
- Savvy European design – sleek and clean exterior, distinctive new front 'face', curvaceous side line, rising beltline and integrated rear styling.
- A choice of latest generation petrol and turbo-Diesel engines, the latter providing hybrid levels of fuel economy affordable to all Australians.
- Suspension and steering dynamics specifically calibrated to appeal to the sportier mindset of today’s Australian hatchback drivers.
- Advanced safety equipment made affordable, including side and curtain airbags, Electronic Stability Program, 'anti-whiplash' headrests and seat belt reminders.
- Clean, functional and well-organised interior – built with the driver’s comfort and convenience in mind. Design highlights include flexible, space-efficient seating, blue instrument illumination, high quality finishes and a cool air-conditioned glovebox.
- Full iPod®/USB-compatible audio as standard, which allows the driver to operate an iPod® and other MP3 players through the i30’s dash and steering wheel audio controls.
"The new i30 is a reflection of Hyundai’s world-class design capabilities with its inspired European styling, innovative iPod®/USB-compatible audio and outstandingly frugal turbo-Diesel engine. The i30 offers a suite of intelligent safety features and Australian-optimised suspension and steering, together with the class-leading quality and reliability for which Hyundai is increasingly recognised," said Mr McCann.
For more information on i30's achievements Click here
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Contact: Hyundai Information Centre
Hyundai Motor Co Australia Pty Ltd
ABN 58 008 995 588
Homebush Bay, (Sydney) NSW 2127 Australia
Harbourside Business Park, 8 Baywater Drive.
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