Hyundai’s planned replacement for the Getz hatchback overseas, the upcoming i20, has been spotted testing ahead of its global market launch, expected early next year. The i20 hasn’t yet been confirmed for Australian sale, but the current Getz is Hyundai’s single most popular model on the market, and though it lags slightly behind Toyota’s Yaris, it trounces the competing Volkswagen Polo, Honda Jazz and Ford Fiesta in annual sales, and its importance to Hyundai Australia’s lineup is strong.

This means that the i20 could potentially be sold alongside the Getz as a more premium offering in the small car market. Hyundai has done this with the positioning of the current i30 model above the similarly sized Accent.

The new i20 hatch will be available initially as a five-door and will be joined by the sportier three-door variant, seen here, roughly six months after the initial debut. Because the new i20 is somewhat larger and better-equipped than the current Getz, the two could be sold side-by-side, but for Europe at least, the i20 is pegged as the Getz’s replacement.

New family of hatches share styling, improvements
Styling of the new model will be derived from the bigger i30, with a similar grille and headlight designed expected to be shared between both cars. The i20 will likely be bigger than the current Getz, and interior material and trim quality should be greatly improved as well.

This will give it a better footing against recently updated models like the Ford Fiesta, which has improved quality levels significantly with the introduction of the latest generation model set to arrive in Australia soon. Volkswagen’s Polo is also due for an update in the near future, so the new i20 will be essential to maintaining Hyundai’s strong market position in the affordable hatchback segment.

Engines offer range of choice, diesels possible with growing popularity
The engine lineup is expected to feature two petrol units, both four-cylinder designs and displacing 1.2 and 1.4-litres, respectively. Power levels should range between 60kW and 82kW. A 1.5-litre common-rail turbodiesel engine, also with 82kW, will also likely join the new lineup.

The i20 will make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, after which it will begin filtering into retail sale around the world. Hyundai Australia has confirmed that the model is under review but no final decision has been made.

Hyundai i20 three-door spy shots

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