GEARHEAD
Wagon Heaven
The stylish Hyundai i30 Wagon Turbo offers optimum space and pace
Anyone who has eaten Australian wagyu knows it didn’t come from a cow which was being massaged while soaking in a hot spring with a bottle of Asahi beer.
Even if it is called wagyu and tastes like a succulent piece of Japanese beef.
Likewise, anyone who has driven the Hyundai i30 from Korea is aware that it is not a European car but cannot fail to be impressed by its Continental-like styling and ride.
There is a good reason for this surprised reaction to the i30. Like the Japanese breed of cows that are reared Down Under, the third-generation i30 was designed and engineered in Europe. It is also made there, in the Czech Republic, for the European market.
Which means the i30 available in Singapore has European specifications to add to its Euro hatch looks.
Now, there is the i30 Wagon and its styling is even more stunning than the Hatchback’s.
Body
At 245 mm longer than the i30 Hatchback, the Wagon’s long roof gives it a sporty tourer profile. And just like how high heels can extend the legs and make them look more attractive, the Wagon is a visually sexier version of the hatch.
Both the i30 Hatchback and the i30 Wagon share the same 2,650 mm wheelbase but the i30 Wagon has an overall length of 4,585 mm.
The extra 245 mm is all in the rear overhang and the additional weight – the Wagon is about 50 kg heavier than the Hatchback – makes the handling difference. In a good way.
But more of this later.
As a result of the extra length, the Wagon’s load area is also 52 per cent bigger. Unless you just bought a GCB, you can fold the rear seat backs and move house in it.
In front, the cabin is equally roomy. It may be in the compact class but this Korean estate is very spacious on the inside. The rear seat is especially comfortable, with excellent head and legroom for a six-footer.
The interior design, which Hyundai calls “modern premium’’, is also pleasing, with its floating centre display, and soft-touch dashtop and upper door panels.
Powertrain
But the real deal is the i30’s sophisticated powertrain and suspension. For the third-generation i30, Hyundai has downsized the engine from the previous generation’s naturally aspirated 1.6 to a 1.4-litre turbocharged unit.
It drives the front wheels through a more direct seven-speed dual clutch transmission and the powertrain’s flexibility will wow you.
The downsized turbo’s dual operating nature provides for good fuel economy when driving in town, but also power and dynamic performance when required.
This optimum efficiency means the i30 Wagon is fun to drive. Plus it sounds good when accelerating hard.
There are three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – with
subtle colour accents that change in the multi-function display according to the mode chosen.
The EPS electric power steering can be slightly vague in Normal mode, although Sport weights it up nicely.
But Sport also makes the dual clutch gearbox change gears more choppily.
The best solution is to choose Sport for its beefier steering but use the gear lever to shift manually.
Even better are the handling and ride. It may be heavier because of its longer rear overhang but the Wagon’s ride is more pliant; it soaks up the bumps just like a European model.
Think of it this way: A bigger guy competing with a smaller chap in the 100-metre dash may be fractionally slower, but pit him in another contest like sumo wrestling and he will have the clear advantage.
So too the i30 Wagon. It’s not about to wear a loin cloth and take on the Hatchback half-naked, but that additional heft over the rear axles is definitely a pro, not a con.
Mods
A bodykit and big wheels are a surefire way to dress up any car but the beauty of the i30 is that it allows for accessories to actually enhance the car’s dynamics and not just its aesthetics.
One transformational after-market item is the pair of shift paddles. The i30 here does not come with them as standard but the connections are already there for the paddles which can be easily obtained for under S$200.
And if you have the sporty paddles, then you can match them with an equally sporty flat-bottomed leather-wrapped sports steering wheel for about S$400.
Price
The Hyundai i30 Wagon Turbo is a COE Category B that is listed at S$94,999.
Its price proposition is appealing, not just because it costs about S$20,000 less than a compact European estate, but because of its many features.
One standout item is the static bending lights, which is almost unheard of in its segment.
And while the estate bodystyle costs S$7,000 more than the hatch, it also comes with extra equipment – seven airbags (instead of two), factory-fitted Apple CarPlay eight-inch touchscreen (versus locally fitted) including Bluetooth voice recognition, and TPMS tyre pressure monitoring system.
The Wagon’s distinctive styling, extra space and more composed ride make it the more complete package. Like wagyu versus non-wagyu, it looks and feels more special.
Hyundai i30 Wagon Turbo
Engine – 1,353 inline-4
Gearbox – 7-speed dual clutch transmission
Max power – 138 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max torque – 242 Nm @ 1,500 rpm
0-100 kmh – 9.5 secs
Top speed – 203 kmh
VES band – B (neutral)
Distributor – Komoco Motors, tel 6475-8888
MORE STORIES FROM NEW LUXURY
Tesla X marks the spot
GEARHEAD Tesla X marks the spot Looking for EV treasure? The Tesla Model X is probably the closest to it for now… but only if you have enough space to open the rear doors.There have been gullwing doors, scissor doors, dihedral doors, even suicide doors. But with...
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid: Sporty luxury
GEARHEAD Hyundai Tucson Hybrid: Sporty luxury Hyundai continues to raise the bar with its near-premium Tucson Hybrid What it is A long time ago, when cars had carbs (carburettors, not carbohydrates) and new wave had nothing to do with surfing, BMW models were...
Porsche Design Five-0
GEARHEAD Porsche Design Five-0 The Stuttgart-based sports car maker celebrates the 50th anniversary of its design studio with a pair of extra special 911sTo celebrate its golden jubilee, Porsche Design has unveiled two very special models – one of which you can...
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid: Affordable luxury
GEARHEAD Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid: Affordable luxury The Korean carmaker drives further into upmarket territory with the latest Santa Fe HybridWhat it is Upscale, hybrid, “CalmTech”, SmartSense and seven seats. There are many ways to describe the refreshed...
Hyundai Kona Electric: Start a new journey
GEARHEAD Hyundai Kona Electric: The start of a new journey Anyone who wants to embark on an electric journey should seriously consider the updated Hyundai Kona ElectricWhat it is In marketing, the brand-consumer journey can be understood through the AIPL model –...
Fastest 911 GT3 ever
GEARHEAD Fastest 911 GT3 ever Porsche’s street-legal race car is set for a year-end debut Celebrate the end of the pandemic with the latest 911 GT3. The seventh edition of Porsche’s street-legal race car is speeding into town at the end of 2021. Developed in...
An advanced Avante
GEARHEAD An advanced Avante The Hyundai Avante compact sedan showcases fresh new styling and features with a brand new platformJeremy Clarkson says he no longer tests cars because they are becoming increasingly dreary and similar, which is a bit of a surprise...
A new X factor
GEARHEAD A new X factor The pure electric BMW iX will arrive in late 2021 with a new design and mobility proposition With its all-electric powertrain and radical grille that looks like something taken from a giant meat grinder, the first-ever BMW iX will lead...
Venue verve
GEARHEAD Venue verve The Hyundai Venue compact crossover is surprisingly stylish and spirited Unless you’re driving an imposing car to match the equally imposing doorman with his immaculate white turban, arcing around the Raffles Hotel’s elegant driveway can be...
Electric dream
GEARHEAD Electric dream The Ferrari SF90 Spider is a sexy roadster that happens to be a hybrid Go topless in a greener Ferrari. The convertible version of the SF90 Stradale, the Prancing Horse’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, promises to caress your...
R power
GEARHEAD R power Volkswagen’s new Golf R is the all-wheel-drive powerhouse The flagship model of the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf has broken cover. VW this week revealed the latest Golf R at its world premiere and it’s not only the most powerful Golf...
Meet the beast
GEARHEAD Meet the beast In the arena of four-door pickup trucks, the Jeep Gladiator is a charismatic beast Not many people are aware but the father of modern Singapore enjoyed his cars and bikes, perhaps as much as he did spicy sambal belacan made for him by a...
Smart hybrid style
GEARHEAD Smart hybrid style The Hyundai Kona Hybrid effortlessly blends style and refinement with efficiency and driveability What it is Each new Hyundai model launched these days never fails to surprise, whether it is in terms of its styling, technology,...
M is for more
GEARHEAD M is for more The Ferrari Portofino M with a new transmission is more powerful Ferrari has unveiled the latest evolution of its sensually styled 2+2 hardtop convertible, the Ferrari Portofino M. M stands for Modificata, the Italian word for Modified,...
GTS is GR8 again
GEARHEAD GTS is GR8 again The Porsche Cayenne GTS and GTS Coupé are back with a V8 under the hood There are once again eight glorious cylinders for the new Porsche Cayenne GTS. Together with its more swoopy-looking doppelganger, the Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupé,...
Bye bye Bentley
GEARHEAD Bye, bye Bentley Last chance to get the biggest Bentley as the majestic Mulsanne goes the way of the dodo There is going to be one less option to show that you have arrived, literally. Bentley has ended production of the Mulsanne ultra-luxury...
Santa’s coming to town
GEARHEAD Santa's coming to town Hyundai refreshes the Santa Fe with a new platform and an extraordinary turbo hybrid powertrainIt may be difficult to fathom but the stylish Hyundai Santa Fe is going to get even more exciting. When the fourth-generation...
BMW booster shot
GEARHEAD BMW booster shot Like a much-needed vaccine, the refreshed BMW 5 Series gets a new lease of life from mild hybrid tech The facelifted BMW 5 Series – to be launched in Singapore in the third quarter of 2020 – will have subtle changes on the...
A hotter Hybrid
GEARHEAD A hotter Hybrid The updated Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid has become an even better car In dire times like these, it is comforting to know that ordinary soap has the powerful ability to kill germs and dreaded viruses, thanks to its hybrid structure. You...
Good, clean fun with e-Mini
GEARHEAD Good, clean fun with Mini The electric version of this pocket rocket offers emission-free driving fun The first all-electric Mini is set to slip silently into the Eurokars showroom in the third quarter of 2020. The Mini Cooper SE will be listed at an...
Beautiful Bentley
GEARHEAD Beautiful Bentley The Bentley EXP 100 GT wins a design award for the most beautiful concept car It’s unanimous - Singapore's most popular super-luxury brand in 2019 also topped the beauty stakes. The Bentley EXP 100 GT was awarded the “Most...
A GT high
GEARHEAD A GT high The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé is a grand tourer with vroom and room Two doors good, four doors better. Perhaps that was what Mercedes-Benz was thinking when it decided to make a four-door version of its two-door AMG GT sports car. ...
Time for a new Venue
GEARHEAD Time for a new Venue The Hyundai Venue is a perfectly sized SUV with a fresh design The world certainly needs another SUV like it needs another meat alternative. Especially when it’s as stylish as the Hyundai Venue. This new sub-compact...
Baby Drive: A-Class Saloon
GEARHEAD Baby DriveThe Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon is an entry-level sedan and the new Baby Benz If you are of a certain vintage and SES, the term “Baby Benz” should have very special meaning. No, it doesn’t refer to a Mercedes-Benz hatchback (and much less a...
Sweet Sixty: Mini 60 Years Edition
GEARHEAD Sweet SixtyThe iconic Mini turns 60 with a special anniversary edition The word “hip’’, when applied to a 60-year-old, is usually accompanied with another word: “replacement”.But there is one sexagenarian for which that suffix doesn’t apply and remains as...
Smooth operator: Jeep Wrangler
GEARHEAD Smooth operatorThe Jeep Wrangler with a new powertrain is sensationally comfortable and refined American icons may stand out for their branding and symbolism but they are not usually the most refined example of their ilk. Take McDonalds and Coke for...
Power surge: Ferrari SF90 Stradale
GEARHEAD Power surge The FerrariSF90 Stradale is a petrol-electric hybrid and the most powerful eight-cylinder model with a Prancing Horse badge Numbers can be very intriguing, and not only when you can’t figure out why your bank balance suddenly...
Lambo pace with space
GEARHEAD Lambo pace with space The Lamborghini Urus is a super SUV with oodles of room and refinement Love the Lambo brand a lot but not sure if you can get in and out of of something more low-slung than last season’s Chanel jeans? Fret no more, the latest...
Suzuki Jimny genius
GEARHEAD Jimny genius The Suzuki Jimny mini-SUV is a brilliant little car for its form and function Suzuki Jimny in Kinentic Yellow and Bluish Black Pearl 3 Depending on who or what you are, 20 years could be a very long time or a mere blip on the radar. For a...
BYD e6: Electric dreams come true?
GEARHEAD Electric Dreams Come True? BYD offers to Build Your Dreams with the biggest and most affordable electric vehicle on the market It’s not easy being eco-friendly. People call you names like tree-hugger while emission-free motoring costs more than normal...
Ford Mustang: American thoroughbred
GEARHEAD American thoroughbred The refreshed Ford Mustang 2.3 EcoBoost projects both presence and power Which ride would you prefer - a pony car or a warhorse? If you pick the Ford Mustang, you won’t have to choose; you will have both. In the US, a pony car refers...
X-tra sporty SUV
GEARHEAD X-tra sporty SUV The BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport X is a 2.0-litre Sport Activity Coupe with dynamic styling and handling For the longest time, the SUV was the automotive equivalent of the all-you-can-eat hotel buffet. It was big in every way, with something to...
Peugeot 3008 & 5008
GEARHEAD Peugeot's winning numbers A new powertrain for Peugeot’s 3008 and 5008 SUV models makes them even more luxurious Peugeot 5008: Seven-seater SUV with near-premium positioning Luxury may seem like a pretty straightforward concept but it’s actually a bit...
Avante S’s Sweet Spot
GEARHEAD Avante S's Sweet Spot The Hyundai Avante S is the Korean carmaker’s best-selling model for a few reasons Middle of the road, the sweet spot, best bang for your buck - all these could well refer to the Hyundai Avante S. The Hyundai Avante is a compact...
Crossover Energy
GEARHEAD Crossover Energy It’s easy to get charged up by the terrific styling and range of the Hyundai Kona Electric Now that there are no more Yellow Pages, you can’t let your fingers do the walking. But with the Hyundai Kona Electric, you can let your fingers do the...
Baby Benz Grows Up
GEARHEAD Baby Benz Grows Up The Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback gets new performance to match its luxury Have you ever been in a situation where you’re nibbling a daintily exotic entrée in a classy Michelin-starred restaurant but wished you were devouring something...
Elite Proposition
GEARHEAD Elite Proposition The new Hyundai Avante Elite’s down-to-earth pricing represents excellent value for money When you look up into the night sky, do you wonder about the mysteries of the universe or the mysteries of the Singapore car market? Do you think about...
The Complete Camry
GEARHEAD The Complete Camry Styling, refinement and luxury - the new Toyota Camry finally has it all Not too long ago, the two-litre Japanese sedan was a status symbol. That was some time back though, after policemen stopped wearing shorts but before Isis morphed...
Halo Hatch
GEARHEAD Halo Hatch The Hyundai i30N is a hot hatch that goes head-to-head with the European competition Footwear is very important, especially appropriate footwear. If you’re a human, living in modern society, you need the right shoes for the right occasion (some...
The Alternative limousine
GEARHEAD The Alternative limousine The Skoda Superb has excellent rear legroom and a cushy ride There may have been some disagreement over the Laurel and Yanny audio illusion but when it comes to Laurin & Klement, there is no argument that these two names refer to...
Hyundai Outperforms Shrinking 2018 Car
AUTO Hyundai Outperforms Shrinking 2018 Car Market Korean brand the biggest winner as Honda overtakes Toyota for No 1 spot Honda was Singapore’s favourite brand in 2018 but it was Hyundai which chalked the biggest gains as the overall passenger car market contracted...
Zoe Good
GEARHEAD Zoe Good There is so much to like about the Renault Zoe electric car It is near impossible to fault the Renault Zoe. This pure electric car is a mini hatch with cool styling and excellent green credentials. It also has zippy performance and low running...
3 New Hyundai Models at S’pore Motorshow
GEARHEAD 3 new Hyundais at motor showKomoco Motors showcases the new Avante 1.6, Kona Electric and i30N The Hyundai brand stands out at Singapore Motorshow 2019 with not one, not two but three new models for three very different groups of customers. For the family,...
Singapore Motorshow Opens With a Roar
GEARHEAD Singapore Motorshow Opens With A Roar On display are 31 automotive brands with over 140 vehicles The Singapore Motorshow 2019 kicks off today with over 25 unveilings of fresh new models from brands such as Alpine, DS, Peugeot and Jaguar. One exciting...
Santa Fe Surprise
GEARHEAD Santa Fe Surprise The Hyundai Santa Fe is a stylish seven-seat SUV that is amazingly fun to drive Nothing noteworthy is ever achieved overnight, so it’s no surprise to learn that the US city of Santa Fe took centuries to evolve from the barren town it once...
Alpine A110 to Debut at S’pore Motorshow
GEARHEAD Alpine A110 To Debut At S’pore Motorshow French sports car brand is represented by Wearnes The Alpine A110 will be unveiled at next week’s Singapore Motorshow. Described as a Porsche Cayman competitor, this mid-engined, two-seater sports coupe has a...
Hyundai Hallmark of Quality
GEARHEAD Hyundai Hallmark of Quality The latest Hyundai Tucson has been upgraded to look and feel more premium Quality is an interesting attribute. At a glance, it is difficult to determine if an object has it or not. But once it is touched, felt, used or even...
Hot F1 Acts For 2019
AUTO Hot F1 Acts For 2019 S’pore GP unveils first wave of stage entertainment line-up The action off-track at next year’s F1 race promises to be as hot as that on-track. Race promoter Singapore GP has announced the first wave of its stage entertainment line-up for...
Sweet Child of Mini
GEARHEAD Sweet Child of Mini The dinky Mini Cooper 3 Door comes with a new transmission and level of refinement Cars have more than just physical features. Whether or not you anthropomorphise them, they are likely to be attributed human traits such as sleek or...
25 Years of Harley-Davidson In Singapore
GEARHEAD 25 Years Of Harley-Davidson In Singapore Komoco celebrates its silver jubilee with a big biker bash Iconic motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson celebrated its 25th year in Singapore with 200 bikes and 400 bikers and friends over the weekend. Distributor Komoco...
Online And On The Ball
GEARHEAD Online And On The Ball Komoco launches Hyundai interactive car retail platform Now you can buy a Hyundai car from anywhere at anytime, not just from its Alexandra Road showroom. The Korean carmaker has launched Hyundai Click & Drive, an online car retail...
A New And Sharper Lexus ES
GEARHEAD A New And Sharper Lexus ES The latest ES250 and ES300h are more dynamic and luxurious The new Lexus ES luxury sedan is here and it’s sleeker and sportier. The stalwart saloon is a favourite of many Lexus buyers and it now has a more dynamic shape with a...
Captivating Cerato
GEARHEAD Captivating Cerato The new Kia Cerato's styling is literally its most attractive attribute First impressions count. Just ask anyone who has been on a first date, where a person’s appearance influences another’s opinion of him or her almost immediately. ...
Pimp My i30
GEARHEAD Pimp My i30 Two members of Singapore’s two Hyundai i30 owner clubs share their cars’ three favourite mods Chong Gee Huon's Moon Rock i30 (left) with Richard Leong's Phantom Black i30 Chong Gee Huon is an administrator of the 3rd Generation i30 Singapore Group...
i30 Club Culture
GEARHEAD Club Culture Singaporean owners of the Hyundai i30 have created two clubs to celebrate the new-generation hatchback Some members of the 3rd Generation i30 Singapore Group (i30 PDe) Too much passion is never enough, and it’s not just The Smithereens who are...
Get Smart
GEARHEAD Get Smart Hyundai is deploying Smart Tech to change the way we drive into the future 2018 Le Fil Rouge concept car: Smart car technology allows self-driving while generating its own energy and repairing damaged paintwork The next-generation Hyundai car will...
Hyundai’s Performance Heart
GEARHEAD Hyundai's Performance Heart At the core of each Hyundai is its ever-improving vehicle performance, not just with engines and drivetrains but also technology like weight distribution and aerodynamics Hyundai's 2018 Le Fil Rouge concept car Mention...
Let’s go racing
GEARHEAD Let's Go Racing The rugged rally car is Hyundai’s vehicle of choice in the motorsports arena Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC (copyright: Hyundai Motorsport GmbH) Some carmakers take part in Formula One for higher visibility, others prefer the endurance car route. But...
Ioniq self-driving sensation
GEARHEAD Ioniq self-driving sensation Hyundai is eyeing an autonomous future with fuel cell electric technology Hyundai Ioniq Autonomous Concept First, there was the electric Ioniq. Soon, there will be an autonomous Ioniq. Or Nexo, if you prefer your eco-friendly...
Porsche SCTD
GEARHEAD 70 and Sensational Porsche held its 70th birthday bash in Bangkok with a Sportscar Together Day Porsche 918 at the Sportscar Together Day in Bangkok What do you do when you want to celebrate a nation’s birthday? You have a National Day naturally. ...
Hyundai’s unique Ioniq
GEARHEAD Unique Ioniq Hyundai is at the starting line of an automotive revolution with its accessible E-mobility models Hyundai Ioniq Electric If a line is a dot that went for a walk, then the Ioniq is a charge that will take you for a spin - a very eco-friendly...
Hyundai’s history of luxury
GEARHEAD Hyundai's history of luxury Before Genesis, there was the Equus upscale sedan Genesis G90 While the Genesis luxury brand may be relatively new, Hyundai’s premium ambitions are not. The first high-end Hyundai sedan was launched in 1999 and it was called...
The Genesis of luxury
GEARHEAD The Genesis of luxury In the beginning, there was Genesis - the premium division of Hyundai Motor which embodies the concept of modern luxury Genesis G80 Whenever the subject of prime residential property is brought up, Districts 9, 10 and 11 inevitably come...
Hyundai Life-style and Function
GEARHEAD Life-style & Function Hyundai doesn’t just design cars, it has also created an award-winning range of lifestyle products called the Hyundai Collection The Stool from the Hyundai Collection We all know carmakers produce more than just vehicles that...
Hyundai design of the times
GEARHEAD Design of the times Good design has not only lifted Hyundai Motor’s sales but also boosted the carmaker’s brand value The new Sonata is the latest expression of Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design language Does good design lead to better sales? In Hyundai...
The story of N
GEARHEAD The story of N From Namyang to the Nurburgring, N is the story of Hyundai’s eye-popping high-performance lineup There is something brewing in Namyang and it is decidedly more powerful than any Korean ginseng chicken soup you’ve ever tasted. Namyang is home to...
Lexus LC: Everyday supercar
GEARHEAD Everyday supercar The Lexus LC luxury sports coupe blends power and refinement perfectly Few people remember, now that eight-speed autos are commonplace, but it was Lexus which first introduced eight gear ratios for a conventional automatic transmission in a...
BMS: From Drinks to Drives
GEARHEAD From Drinks to Drives The boss of the Toyota dealership, Jasmmine Wong, talks about her passion for cars Ms Jasmmine Wong Jasmmine Wong’s first drive was a Suzuki and now she is in the driver’s seat for the brand itself. Ms Wong is the managing...
Copyright ©2019 NEW LUXURY. All Rights Reserved.