THIS is the first view we’ve had of Hyundai’s new i40, which will be launched as a competitor to the Ford Mondeo this year.

The new Hyundai i40 will be given its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March, before coming to the UK in June. The estate model will launch first; the i40 saloon later in 2011.

“The new i40 aims to further shift business car buyers’ perception of Hyundai to a more aspirational position, thanks to the vehicle’s dynamic design and class-leading quality, performance and technical features,” said Jeff Peyton-Bruhl, national corporate operations & remarketing manager, Hyundai.

“We expect the quality of the new i40 to continue the development of our image in the UK and attract new company car drivers to the Hyundai brand,” Mr Peyton-Bruhl added.

The new i40 will feature the latest environmental technologies, says Hyundai, including engines which will feature best-in-class performance and fuel economy, along with low CO2 emissions.

Among the engine line up will be a 115hp 1.7-litre TDi diesel unit with just 113g/km CO2