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Back in July 2011, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd (HSDM) introduced its facelift version of Hyundai i10 5-door hatchback subcompact. This supermini is locally assembled (CKD) in Kulim – Malaysia, and the car is also known as Inokom i10. The Hyundai i10/Inokom i10 offered in 3 variants – 1.1 Standard Spec (1.1 Epsilon), 1.25 Standard Spec (1.25 Kappa CVVT), and 1.25 High Spec (1.25 Kappa CVVT).

We heard many amazing feedback on the i10, varies from styling, driving experience and most importantly – fuel efficiency by the 1.25-litre Kappa CVVT engine.  Overall, the build, concept & design of Hyundai i10 is incredibly apart from its predecessor – Hyundai Atoz/Inokom Atoz.

The astonishing feedback has triggered our team to proof it with our own hands. Therefore, we received a Hyundai i10 1.25 Kappa CVVT High Spec in auto transmission for this purpose.

In a nutshell, the facelift i10 come with a new front grille, front bumper, clear headlights, redesigned alloy wheels w/ 165 60 R14 tyres, side mirror indicator repeaters, fog lamps*, revised instruments cluster, tail lamps and rear roof spoiler* (*for 1.25L high spec model only).

First impression, the ride of the Hyundai i10 is comfy, controlled and notably quieter than its other rivals.

Outside of the i10 is not just stylish, the interior is also sensibly designed. The cabin is impressively spacious for such a supermini car. The front passenger seat comes with under-seat tray. The rear boot space come with an organised under tray compartment as well.

Inversely, the sound of the in-car entertainment system is not so noteworthy although it comes with four speakers and an audio head-unit with FM/AM, MP3, USB, AUX and a remote controller.

The information cluster comes with blue LED backlights and digital indicator.  The digital display indicates the gear, fuel gauge and odometer with trip. The blue LED backlights are extended to the gear-shifter, audio head-unit, power-window and aircond switches.

In terms of engine specifications, the impressive i10 offers in the same 1.1-litre Epsilon (69PS @ 5,500rpm with torque of 10.1 kg.m @ 4,500rpm) and a revised 1.25-litre Kappa with Constantly Variable Valve Technology (CVVT). The new 1248cc Kappa with CVVT is now producing 87 PS @ 6,000rpm with torque of 12.2 kg.m @ 4,000rpm. Both engines are paired with 4-speed automatic transmission. Based on the test unit with 1.25-litre High Spec, the power is well delivered and reasonably responsive.

About Fuel efficiency, we are able to clocked 340km/h per tank (35-litre capacity) of RON95 fuel. Based on my driving pattern, this works out an average of 13.0km/litre. This is good figure for a non-hybrid powered car.

Although there is no CO2 emissions regulation in Malaysia, but it is respectable to highlight that both engine not only offers exceptional fuel economy and also emits really low CO2 emissions. For example, the 1.25-litre Kappa CVVT engine emits only 127 grams/km of CO2.

Due to fuel efficiency and logistical benefits with simplified components, many automakers are favouring electric power steering (EPS) and this is not exempted for the Hyundai i10 as well. Instead to name it as EPS, Hyundai promotes it as Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS). Thanks to the MDPS, the steering force management is based on vehicle speed, which helps on maneuvering the car at low speed and provides more driving confidence at high speed.

With a rigid and tough body structure of i10, the car awarded with 4-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. The i10 1.25-litre Kappa CVVT engine High Spec comes exclusively with 4-channel ABS with EBD, and dual front airbags. The reverse parking sensor comes standard in all i10 variants.

About the quality & reliability of the i10, based on what we observed from this test-drive unit with 9,000km. I would say the built quality of the car is reasonably tremendous because most of the demo units that we received with this mileage are usually in a dreadful condition. But this i10 is still very pleasing, lovely and intact.

Anyway, I just can’t imagine what others did to them. Whatever it is, the 5-years or 300,000km warranty with 24/7 roadside assist by HSDM says it all.

Weakness wise (only minor) – Firstly, I think the annoying part will be the digital odometer as the indicator will automatically switch back to total distance on every engine start-up even it was previously set to trip A or B. Secondly, the digital clock on the audio head-unit requires you to press the ‘clock’ button to show the time when the audio head-unit is on. Lastly, the engine gets a bit noisy when cruising at high speed on the freeway.

The i10 is offered with five colours for 1.1 models – Champagne Gold, Stone Black, Ice Silver, Alpine Blue.  And four colours for 1.25 models – Alpine Blue, Ice Silver, Crystal White and Oyster Grey.

The closest rivals of the awards winning new Hyundai i10 in Malaysia are like Suzuki Atos, Perodua Myvi, Perodua Viva, and the upcoming Honda Brio.

If you preferred the top-of-the-range Hyundai i10 1.25 Kappa CVVT High Spec Auto just like the one we tested, the selling price will be RM 54,988.00 on-the-road inclusive 1-year comprehensive insurance. For the rest, the i10 1.25 Standard Spec is selling at RM 50,688.00 and the 1.1 Standard Spec goes at RM 47,988.00.

Photo Gallery: Hyundai i10 / Inokom i10 1.25 Kappa CVVT High Spec in Malaysia

If you can recall recently about Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) being awarded as winner of the Distributor of the Year 2010 at the 2011 Global Distributors Convention that was held in Banff, Canada. As promised, the Malaysia’s Hyundai distributor now starts rewarding all its customers on their next visit to any of Hyundai’s authorised service centre starting from 1st August till 31th October 2011.

Hyundai’s car owners who send their car in for service will be given a RM30 rebate for an engine oil and oil filter change, which is redeemable on the spot. They will also have a chance to win one of the two iPads and a Plasma TV that will be given away each month until October.

To participate in this programme, all customers need to do is to fill up a contest form and attach the original or certified true copy of the service receipt and drop it into the contest box. Participants of this contest must also SMS to activate the registration of this contest upon submitting their form. The SMS number can be obtained from the registration form and the contest box.

“This special promotion and giveaways through a contest is our way of showing appreciation to our customers for their support. Without our customers’ support, winning the Distributor of The Year 2010 award would have been impossible,” said Mr Dennis Ho, Managing Director of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd.

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors was recently awarded the Distributor of the Year 2010 by Hyundai Motor Company for its qualified category, at the 2011 Global Distributors Convention that was held in Banff, Canada.

Hyundai Motor Company spokesperson commented the award is well-deserved as Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has demonstrated its ability to increase Hyundai’s market share in Malaysia within a short period of time through its innovative services and creative marketing activities.

The award was presented to Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors by Vice Chairman of HMC, Mr. Eui-Sun Chung to Dato’ Lawrence Lee, Sime Darby’s Executive Vice President, Motors Division and Mr. Dennis Ho, Managing Director of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn. Bhd.

The launches of the YF Sonata and LM Tucson in 2010 were milestone events that contributed to the dramatic sales growth achieved by Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors. The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) recently reported that Hyundai vehicle sales had increased by more than 38% from 2009 to 2010.  For the period from January to May 2011 more than 5400 Hyundai vehicles have been sold, which equates to a 36.7% growth year-on-year.

In conjunction with the recent award, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors is rewarding all its customers by giving out service discount vouchers with a minimum spend when they visit any of Hyundai’s authorized service centres in Malaysia from 1st August till 31th October 2011. For more information, please call Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Customer Care Line at 1300-13-2000 during office hours.