Hyundai i30 Premium Hatchback Spotted Again In India

• The third-gen (latest) Hyundai i30 has been spied testing in Chennai.
• Multiple test units spied, but it is unlikely to be launched in India.
• If launched, it will be a niche hatchback priced above Rs 10 lakh.
• The i30 is offered with three engine options: two petrols and a diesel.

ZigWheels reader Kamesh Krishna has sent in spy shots of a brand new uncamouflaged Hyundai i30 premium hatchback being tested in Chennai. Here’s what you need to know about the premium hatchback.

Outside, the i30 hatchback gets a single-piece honeycomb mesh grille. Then there are the sleek looking LED headlamps and large airdams that houses sleek LED DRLs. At the side, the i30 gets a sharp crease that connects the headlamps with the tail lamps.

There are classy looking 10-spoke dual tone alloys as well. Moving on to the rear, the premium hatchback gets split LED tail lamps and a black trim on the bumper.

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We do not have spy shots of the interior of the test unit, but it shouldn’t be too different from the model sold internationally. The Hyundai i30 follows the company’s standard of simple-but-premium design inside. The steering wheel and floating infotainment display are almost the same as the Kona Electric. But unlike the EV, there is no digital driver’s display here.

The i30 comes loaded with features like dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, heated and ventilated seats, push button start, powered driver’s seat as well as multi-info display. It also comes with safety features like seven airbags, ABS with EBD, front and rear parking sensors, rear parking camera, ESP as well as hill start assist. That’s not the end. Autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert as well as blind spot detection are also on offer.

Under the hood, the i30 comes with three engine options: a 1.6-litre VTVT petrol, a 2.0-litre T-GDI petrol and a 1.6-litre CRDI diesel. Have a look at the table below to see the detailed specifications of these engines:

This is not the first time that the Hyundai i30 has been spotted testing in India. At least one unit has been spotted multiple times since 2018. Does the addition of a brand new unit to the i30 test fleet mean Hyundai is planning to launch the car in India? Most probably not. Being larger and more premium than the Elite i20, the i30 will be priced significantly more than the Rs 10 lakh mark if launched in India. Considering most buyers in India equate money spent with the size of the car, the Hyundai i30 simply does not have a market to cater to in India. Hyundai regularly tests cars sold exclusively sold abroad in India to finetune the product, and the Hyundai i30 test mule you see in the photos above could be a part of that test fleet.

Do you think Hyundai should launch the i30 in India and create a niche segment, just like the Kona Electric? Let us know in the comments below.