Hyundai i50 to roll off China production line in 2010

Shanghai, June 13 (Gasgoo.com) In the wake of the i30 and the ix35 models, Hyundai Motor's high-class car i50, code-named YF, is expected to roll off the production line of Beijing Hyundai at the end of this year and be launched in China soon, media reported recently. 


The i50 model to be made in China by Hyundai's local venture is likely to carry a 2.0L MPI (multi-point injection) engine with a maximum power of 165ps/6200rpm and a peak torque of 202Nm/4600rpm, and a 2.4L GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine with a maximum power of 201ps/6300rpm and a peak torque of 255Nm/4250rpm. Both of the engines match a 6-speed automatic versus manual transmission (AMT).

Reportedly, the Hyundai i50 model has gone on sale in Korea in September 2009 and will be sold in Europe and America successively. The foreign version of the i50 was displayed at the 2010 Beijing Auto show in April. It is said that Hyundai Motor considered factors in the Chinese auto market when designing the i50 model, so little changes will be made to the exterior and the interior, and there will only be a slight change in cabinet color.

Beijing Hyundai hopes to establish a brand image of high-end sports car with the new model launch. The i50 model is estimated to be sold for around 180,000 yuan ($26,300), similar to the existing Camry and the Accord models, in the China market.