May 21 2009, 11:13 PM, updated 10y ago
"With people more keen to get cars that are more fuel-efficient and burn less petrol, it would seem that Hyundai Sime-Darby’s (HSD) timing for the launch of the new Inokom i10 is perfect. Had it been launched a year ago (which would have been when the planning to bring the model to Malaysia started), it would have been regarded as ‘another small hatchback’ but today, with the claim of 20 kms/litre (with manual transmission; 17.2 kms/litre with automatic transmission) , the i10 is certainly going to draw people to the showrooms.
The i10 is one of the new-generation of models from Hyundai which have a more European flavour. Like Kia, its affiliate, Hyundai wants to make a stronger impression in the European market where it sees a better chance to challenge the Japanese.
While sharing many engineering elements with the Kia Picanto, the i10 not really a clone of the Kia model. 3565 mm long and 1595 mm wide (as long as a Perodua Viva but wider), it is essentially a city car – though long-distances would certainly be fine as well.
The nose has an Inokom badge but rear door has Inokom badge as well as Hyundai badge!
From all angles, the i10 is a cute little car though the headlights seem somewhat huge. While HSD is selling this model as an Inokom product, it’s a bit odd to see that there is also a Hyundai badge (just the wording) on the rear door! Like on some VW models, the latch for opening the rear door is under the flip-up Inokom logo.
Though small, the i10 can still score 4/5 stars in the EuroNCAP test
Small it may be, the Hyundai engineers have been able to give it a structure that could score 4/5 stars in the independent EuroNCAP crash test, said to be the best for a car of this segment. The secret is having a lot of reinforcement in critical areas with rigid subframes as well as a ‘hoop’ concept for the pillars (encircling the structure).
HSD has ensured that the safety package it provides is comparable to the one in Europe so in spite of the low price of RM48,888, it comes with two airbags as standard plus ABS. In other words, that 4-star rating is also applicable to the model sold to Malaysians. This is not always the case with some other models where the one sold to Malaysians lacks certain safety items which had made it possible to achieve the many stars in the crash test.
1.1-litre 4-cylinder engine claimed to sip fuel at a rate of 20 kms/litre
Power comes from a fuel-sipping 1.1-litre (1086 cc) Epsilon 4-cylinder engine which has a long stroke. Power output is 66.8 bhp/49.1 kW at 5500 rpm and 99.1 Nm of torque at 2800 rpm. Though the compression ratio is 10:1, the engine is probably tuned to run on low octane since fuel economy is supposed to be its strong point. Certainly, in Europe, consumers would expect to be able to use low-octane petrol.
5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions are available and for the automatic transmission, the top two ratios are overdrive ratios to push rpm down as low as possible at cruising speeds for fuel-savings.
Simple torsion beam rear suspension
As a further contribution to fuel economy, the i10’s rack and pinion steering system has an electric motor for power assistance. Of course, its light kerb weight of around 925 kgs also helps.
The suspension is typical for cars in this segment with MacPherson struts in front and a torsion beam axle behind. 14-inch alloy wheels are standard and shod with 165/60 tyres. Incidentally, the spare tyre is a full-sized one, not a skinny space-saver, but it comes on a steel wheel.
Moving inside, the cabin has a spacious feel with the high ceiling although the window sills seem a bit high. The dashboard has the usual ‘trying to be different’ look to it that the Korean interior designers seem to be fond of but they are not as obsessed these days, it seems. The switchgear is more conventional and functional. The instrumental panel has a large speedometer (optimistically calibrated to 200 km/h) dead centre but no tachometer. For those who are not comfortable without a coolant temperature gauge, you’ll be happy to know that the i10 has one rather than just a warning light.
The centre area of the dashboard is nicely laid out with large rotating knobs for the climate control system and the shifter is situated on a sloping panel, putting it at a comfortable angle for operation. The audio system is a double-DIN type with MP3 compatibility and also a input point for portable music devices.
The rear accommodation is not too bad for a car this size though three persons may be a squeeze (but there are lap belts for the middle passenger provided). If more space for cargo is needed, the 1-piece backrest can be folded down. A nice provision is the parcel shelf which doubles as a cover to prevent people from peeking into the cargo area.
Commenting about the price of the car, Dennis Ho, COO of HSD, explained that there are some advantages when it is badged as an Inokom rather than a Hyundai due to provisions of the National Automotive Policy. He added that the RM48,888 price (for the automatic) will also apply to the locally-assembled version which will be coming in the near future; for the initial few hundred units, HSD is importing the car as a CBU.
“One thing which I want to assure customers of is that the quality of the locally-assembled version will be just as good as the CBU,” he said. To underline this point, HSD is giving an impressive 5-year/300,000 km (whichever comes first) warranty for the i10. Mr Ho’s confidence in the build quality is understandable because the Atos, which was also assembled at HSD’s plant in Kedah, used to score top marks in the JD Power & Associates Initial Quality Surveys for Malaysia almost every year.
As part of its launch campaign, HSD had three new units of the i10 ready to be given away free. Up till 10 pm tonight at The Curve, the public had an opportunity to try their luck by picking a key from a box and see if it would unlock the box containing the car. "
http://www.motortrader.com.my/NUS/articles...1508/page_m.asp
Why i10 is so cold here?
are there any owner of i10 here?
come and share ur info!
i am the owner for i10 blue auto
This post has been edited by yujin86: May 26 2009, 10:05 PM
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How long he driving that car already oh? Sayang loh....
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