(May 8, 2011) Hyundai has released the first rendering of its new i40 sedan, ahead of the world premiere at the 2011 Barcelona Motor Show on May 12.

This debut follows the global reveal of the i40 wagon at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The i40 saloon will be the latest model to be unveiled under the company’s new brand slogan — "New Thinking. New Possibilities."

The sedan and wagon appear to be basically the European version of the mid-sized Sonata sold in the United States.



Hyundai says the i40 sedan — or saloon as it is referred to in Europe — boasts a purely European identity having been designed and engineered at the European R&D headquarters of Hyundai in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and represents the next evolution of the company’s unique form language, ‘fluidic sculpture’.

The ‘fluidic sculpture’ design DNA utilizes flowing lines inspired by nature to create a dynamic exterior, and was introduced on the Hyundai ix-onic concept car at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Since this debut, ‘fluidic sculpture’ has been the design inspiration behind all new Hyundai models, including the Accent, Elantra and Sonata sold in North America.

i40 wagon introduced
at 2010 Geneva Motor Show

“We have used very strong, fluid lines from front to rear to give i40 a distinctive appearance,” commented Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre. “We wanted to move away from the typical three-box saloon and create a car that was in keeping with the sporty nature of the i40 estate. By sculpting a low, elongated roof line, we’ve given the i40 saloon a striking coupe-like silhouette,” he added.

“The saloon market in Spain is very strong, claiming almost 40% of the D-Segment, so the Barcelona Motor Show was the logical choice for a reveal of such importance. We couldn’t be more delighted to be holding the world premiere of the i40 saloon in Barcelona, a vibrant European city steeped in culture and creativity,” he concluded.