New Hyundai i30 Turbo
The other new model, the Hyundai i30 Turbo, aims to be sporty without compromising real-world driveability and that probably explains its comparatively modest 186 PS power output from it 1.6-litre motor providing a 0-62mph sprint of 8 seconds and a top speed of 136mph top speed.
Handling should be both sharp and compliant thanks to extensive testing at Hyundai’s test facility in the grounds of the infamous Nurburgring.
Features include new front LED light design, twin exhausts and 18-inch alloy wheels.
In the UK spring 2015.
Updated Hyundai i40
The New i40, which Hyundai first introduced to the UK as an estate car, has also been updated as part of Hyundai’s new model assault.
The Hyundai i40 now features updated exterior styling, an upgraded range of responsive, efficient diesel engines, the addition of a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, improvements in ride and handling and several ‘first-for-Hyundai’ active safety and convenience features. Many of the new technologies were first seen on the new flagship Hyundai Genesis, which is due to come to the UK early next year.
Porter continued: “The company realises we now have both the products and the infrastructure to address that in a way that we have not done before. My job is to drive the change in the infrastructure and make sure we meet the demand of business customers’ needs.”
So what is Hyundai’s unique selling point against the established rivals in the fleet market?
Porter listed its specific advantages saying: “We have an extremely strong cost of total ownership, across Europe our residual values are also extremely strong before discount so we are starting out with a very well positioned vehicle.
“We have an infrastructure of 425 fleet business centres so we have the ability to service our business customers.
“However, because of our previous focus on the private sector, we are not necessarily ‘first of mind’ with company car purchases and our challenge is to get the message across that we have strong vehicles. If people start comparing ours with others on a like-for-like basis we stand in a good position.”
And SME small fleet operators are top of Hyundai’s hit-list with this repositioning of sales efforts.
Porter added: “Our focus is very much on quality of service – we’ve always been very good at this on the private side so now we are now working to ensure we can deliver that on the business side. We will do this through the fleet business centres but also through the entire infrastructure in terms of from servicing and finance packages for SMEs through to training of our dealership network to help them understand the key needs of the small business customer.
“With increasing levels of legislation and tax complexity we want to ensure our fleet sales people understand
the customer’s needs and offer the right product both in terms of car and finance and maintenance packages.”
Read more about Hyundai
Click here to read our review of the new Hyundai i20 supermini
Click here to find out why Hyundai was a winner of our Best SME after sales programme
