Paris Preshow: Hyundai Teases ix20 Small MPV and Announces i10 Facelift


What you're looking at here is the first teaser sketch of Hyundai's foray into Europe's mini-MPV segment, the ix20, which will make its world premiere along with the facelifted i10 city car at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris on September 30th.

Based on the underpinnings of the Kia Venga, the ix20 was designed and developed at Hyundai's European R&D centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and is the second car in Europe after the ix35 (known as the Tucson in the States) to adopt the South Korean firm's new 'fluidic sculpture' styling language.

Even though Hyundai is keeping details about the new ix20 confidential, being a sister model to the Kia Venga B-Segment MPV means European buyers should expect a similar engine lineup with 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre gasoline and diesel engines ranging in output from 75 to 115 horsepower.

As for the facelifted 2011 i10 city car, while Hyundai has yet to release photos, the company said the upgraded version of its city car benefits from "a comprehensive set of enhancements in terms of design, specification and competiveness – including a new 1.0-litre engine with CO2 emissions of just 99 g/km."

Check back for more details and images on both cars as the 2010 Paris Auto Show gets nearer.