2015 Hyundai i40 on sale now

Full pricing and specs have been released for the new Hyundai i40, on sale now with the Saloon priced from £19,600 to £27,500 and the Tourer from £20,850 to £28,850.

Key changes include refreshed styling, upgraded engines, a new transmission, ride and handling tweaks, and new safety features and technology.

The refreshed car gets new front and rear lights, the updated version of the manufacturer’s hexagonal front grille and a redesigned front bumper with integrated LED foglights. New designs of 16in and 18in alloy wheels are also available.

Inside the car, Hyundai has focused on comfort, cabin versatility and practicality. Higher-grade materials have been used on important touch points such as the steering wheel, armrests and gearknob.

The new i40 is available with a 1.7-litre diesel engine in two states of tune. The more powerful variant, which is likely to be the most popular, now has more power and torque with 139bhp and 251lb ft from 1750rpm.

While a six-speed manual transmission is standard, Hyundai’s new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission can be specified with this engine. The lower-powered diesel, which generates 113bhp and 207lb ft, can be ordered only with the six-speed gearbox.

Hyundai has also overhauled the car’s ride and handling balance. The Advanced Traction Cornering Control (ATCC) system has been developed to enhance cornering ability and overall agility. The system, which is available only on some variants, uses electronic sensors to emulate the behaviour of a limited-slip differential during cornering, by braking the inside wheel and directing more torque to the outside wheel.

The refreshed i40’s driver mode settings have been enhanced with a new Rear Electronic Damping Control System (ECS) fitted to the i40 Tourer. The driver can adapt the suspension, steering, throttle response and transmission settings through the drive modes.

The Smart Power Tailgate, first seen on the Hyundai Genesis, has been incorporated for some variants. The system automatically opens the boot when the driver approaches the rear of the i40 with the car key in their pocket. Other new kit includes a heated steering wheel, and solar and privacy glass.

Hyundai has upgraded the i40’s navigation system on those derivatives fitted with it. The 7.0in TFT colour touchscreen boasts improved functionality, new graphics and a 3D display mode, while DAB radio is also included on the car for the first time.

The standard audio system is an evolution of the outgoing version. It incorporates improvements to the screen, which is now a monochrome TFT LCD. A high-resolution TFT LCD dashboard display is another new feature.

Other new kit includes optional bi-xenon headlights, smart high-beam assist and speed limit sign identification, the latter being a first on a Hyundai.