Hyundai i40 Test SW 1.7 CRDi 136hp Auto. (Third): Product Placement

Hyundai i40

There are a couple of decades, Hyundai landed in the hexagon. At the time, one of the arguments (the only?) Of the Pony and other Scoupe was the price. The Korean brand was designed as a kind of Dacia early. Then the Korean crisis of 1990 for the years passed, resulting in the acquisition of compatriot Kia. With both brands to manage, the need for a coherent group is required. It decided, Hyundai will be a premium brand! Thus, in recent years, the markets of South Korea and North America saw the emergence of Hyundai ever larger and more powerful motor, until the current top of the range: the Equus V8.

In Europe, the brand strategy is more conservative. Difficult indeed to deal with the German emperors of the luxury car. Moreover, the market for limousine V8 is monopolized by the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class So, Hyundai, it was decided to attack the queen European segment of family: the VW Passat.

To show that it has turned a page, the family firm is now called the i40 and it is unusual, it is first marketed in the form of a wagon, called SW. The reason? In some markets, like Germany, the family breaks sell better than the sedan from which they come.

Hyundai i40

Inaugurated by the ix35, there is less than two years, the new brand style is naturally taken up by the i40 SW. Program, a hexagonal grille size XXL, all the optical length, the sides worked well and a line in an arc. At the rear, there is very inclined bezel, topped with a large spoiler and a chrome strip connecting the two fires.

Inside, we find the same combination of curves and ellipses. A rather spectacular style, especially when night falls. The electric blue lighting of the dashboard and the different orders that compose it give the impression of taking place in the Enterprise, the famous spaceship from Star Trek.

Most plastics that make up the dashboard are foamed. In the category is a must. In front, there are elements painted titanium color and other covered with black lacquer piano type. An association quite successful even though some find the whole charge. Atmosphere side is black or beige. See for yourself, knowing that opting for the lighter shade will require you to paint your i40 silver or black.

As for the finish, it is still some reservations, even if the progress made in recent years is undeniable. On roads in poor condition, some slight squeaking are heard. If the Audi A4 is untouchable at the moment, the i40 is still largely at an Opel Insignia or a Renault Laguna. As a comparison, we have seen worse.

Before moving, a small detour to the chest, an important element in the choice of a break. With 553 liters (1719 liters when the rear seat folded), it does not dislodge the leaders in the category such as the VW Passat (565 liters), but the lesson is for certain models "lifestyle", as the Mercedes C-Class Estate (485 liters) and the Peugeot 508 SW (515 liters). Yet the design of the rear suggests rather the opposite.

Now that the introductions are over, it's time to go for a ride.