Hyundai's New i30 Fastback Is Anything But Fast

Following a preview earlier this year, Hyundai has unveiled the i30 Fastback at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Billed as the first "five-door coupe in the compact car segment," the i30 Fastback is intended to bring premium styling to the masses. As part of this effort, the car features a sporty exterior with a low sloping roof which tapers down to meet a large rear spoiler.

Compared to the standard five-door model, the i30 Fastback has a 25mm lower roofline and ride height that has been reduced by 5mm. The changes aren't just skin deep as Hyundai says the i30 Fastback's suspension is 15% stiffer than the mainstream model.

The interior largely carries over but the new design gives the Fastback a maximum cargo capacity of 1,351 liters (47.7 cubic feet). Other highlights include an optional wireless smartphone charger and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Speaking of technology, the car comes standard with an assortment of safety systems including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist.

The entry-level engine is a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder that develops 120 PS (88 kW) and 171 Nm (126 lb-ft) of torque. It doesn't exactly put the fast into fastback as the model accelerates from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 11.5 seconds before topping out at 188 km/h (116 mph).

The optional turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder improves things significantly as it produces 140 PS (103 kW) and 242 Nm (178 lb-ft) of torque. Thanks to the extra power, the dash from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) comes in as little as 9.2 seconds while its top speed maxes out at 208 km/h (129 mpg).

Later on, the company will introduce a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel which has outputs of 110 PS (80 kW) and 136 PS (100 kW).

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