Hyundai i40 Saloon

2012 Hyundai i40 Saloon

Last year, Hyundai released the i40 at South Korea, in station wagon form only. It is believed that the i40 serves as the wagon alternative to the Hyundai YF Sonata even though the i40 is essentially based on the YF Sonata. With two engines available such as the GDi 2.0L engine and the 1.7L CRDi-VGT diesel engine, it's hard to say that the Hyundai i40 is clearly not available in the Philippines because there are two reasons; the diesel engine is fit for Euro V countries and it's unfit for a Euro II country like the Philippines and the GDi 2.0L engine is unfit for the Philippines' dirty fuel.

To make matters worse or better, Hyundai Motor Company launched the sedan version of the Hyundai i40 dubbed as "Hyundai i40 Saloon" (한글: 현대 i40 살룬). Would that be possible for a country like South Korea to sell both the YF Sonata and the i40 Saloon? Don't worry though, while the YF Sonata is available only in Theta-II 2.0L MPi and GDi 2.0L turbo engine, the i40 Saloon is available only in GDi 2.0L engine and the 1.7L CRDi-VGT diesel engine, the same engines you'll get from the wagon version.

The i40 Saloon still features a 6-speed automatic transmission and based on Hyundai's observance, the GDi 2.0L engine produces 178PS of power, 21.6kg-m of torque, and 13.1km/L of fuel economy while the 1.7 VGT engine produces 140PS of power, 33kg-m of torque, and 18km/L of torque.

Like the wagon counterpart, the Hyundai i40 Saloon still comes with nine color variations such as White Crystal, Sleek Silver, Titanium Silver, Stone Gray, Red Merlot, Eco Beige, Blue Spirit, Blue Passion, and Total Black.

My comment:

The same features you'd get from the i40 wagon, now in a stylish and luxurious sedan look that will serve as an alternative arrangement to the YF Sonata. Because there is no such thing as a diesel Sonata in Korea, the i40 Saloon will bridge the gap to the lineup and yes, it's all about decisions. Sad to say, both the i40 wagon and the i40 Saloon are NOT AVAILABLE in the Philippines. Sorry, but it's the rule. No i40 in the Philippines. Gray market imports are truly annoying but not recommended. Sorry Filipinos, you can't get those.


Photo: Hyundai Motor Company