2011 Hyundai i10 Facelift

Hyundai reveals a facelift for the 2011 Hyundai i10 and the addition of an Eco i10 – the Hyundai i10 Blue.

As Hyundai continues to move upmarket – certainly in terms of perception – its design becomes more European mainstream.

Its ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ (Pretentious? Moi?) design – seen in more recent cars like the ix35 – is now translated to suit the Hyundai i10, and creating a facelift for the 2011 Hyundai i10 in the process, with new bumpers and lights effecting the majority of the change.

Hyundai are rather keen to shout about the Hyundai i10 Blue – the Eco-i10. It comes with a brand new, three-pot 1.0 litre Kappa lump which manages to emit 99g/km and do 67.3mpg.

That low CO2 figure makes the Eco-i10 Blue London Congestion Charge exempt, and Hyundai claim it to be the cheapest five-seater on the market to be sub-100g/km. So there.

Actually, unless we’ve missed it in the meantime, the Hyundai i10 Blue should have been here a year ago. We reported Hyundai planning a model called the i10 i-Blue back in 2009. Better late than never.

The i10 also comes with a revised 1.25 litre Kappa lump, which does the usual trick of having more power (85bhp), being more economical (61.4mpg) and less emitting (108g/km).

The 2011 Hyundai i10 comes in four flavours – Blue, Classic, Active and Style – all of which are well equipped with stuff like AirCon and electric windows. They all now also get iPod connectors.

It looks like the i10 Blue is the first of what will be Hyundai’s Eco range. Expect them to roll out ‘Blue’ models across the range with lower CO2 figures and improved economy. And optional hair shirt.

The facelifted Hyundai i10 goes on sale in March from £8,195. Which really is very good value, especially as it comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, roadside assistance and vehicle health checks.

Which means you could throw it away when the warranty ends after five years and it’ll have cost you just £30 a week.