Live blog: Hyundai Motor at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
We’re LIVE with Hyundai Motor who are ready to row the crowds at the 2017 Frankfurt International Motor Show with the public debut of three all-new vehicles: the high-performance i30 N, the elegant i30 Fastback and the bold KONA. These new models are the latest milestones on the company’s journey to becoming the number one Asian automotive brand in Europe by 2021.
The biennial Frankfurt International Motor Show – also known as the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) – is the world’s largest motor show. It is organised by VDA, the Association of the German Automotive Industry, and attracted 931,700 visitors when it was last held in 2015. The Messe Frankfurt doors have just opened, so journalists and automotive experts are making their way inside. Brands and exhibitors have been working hard in preparation for today’s press day.
Hyundai Motor is presenting public debuts of three new vehicles here in Frankfurt. With the brand’s European and German headquarters, design, technical and testing centres and its motorsport operations rooted in the region, this represents a homecoming for the models. First up, let’s take a look at Hyundai’s first high-performance car: the i30 N.
9:00 AM
The biennial Frankfurt International Motor Show – also known as the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) – is the world’s largest motor show. It is organised by VDA, the Association of the German Automotive Industry, and attracted 931,700 visitors when it was last held in 2015. The Messe Frankfurt doors have just opened, so journalists and automotive experts are making their way inside. Brands and exhibitors have been working hard in preparation for today’s press day.
Hyundai Motor is presenting public debuts of three new vehicles here in Frankfurt. With the brand’s European and German headquarters, design, technical and testing centres and its motorsport operations rooted in the region, this represents a homecoming for the models. First up, let’s take a look at Hyundai’s first high-performance car: the i30 N.
Press material
We're LIVE from Messe Frankfurt for the 67th Frankfurt International Motor Show! Check throughout the day for updates, exclusive images and the Hyundai Press Conference livestream from 12:55 CEST.
The All-New Hyundai i30 N
The i30 N is Hyundai Motor’s first high-performance car under the N line-up inspired by motorsport. Built on the New Generation i30, is has been developed from the ground up to deliver maximum fun to drive in everyday life on the road as well as on the track. It boasts a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that is available with two power outputs: the Standard Package engine delivers 250 PS and reaches 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, whereas the Performance Package engine’s maximum power is boosted to 275 PS and hits 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds.
10:30 AM
The first IAA was held at the Hotel Bristol in Berlin in 1897, with a total of eight motor vehicles on display. It’s been held in Frankfurt since 1951, and the 2017 IAA is the event’s 67th edition. Staged at Messe Frankfurt, it is spread across twelve buildings.
The next Hyundai vehicle to receive its public debut is the i30 Fastback. With its sophisticated silhouette, the i30 Fastback is the first elegant five-door coupe to enter the compact segment . Let’s take a closer look.
The All-New Hyundai i30 Fastback
The i30 Fastback is characterised by its strong stance and sporty, elongated lines. Like other members of the i30 range, it offers Hyundai SmartSense active safety and driving assistance features, democratising technology and making premium design and features accessible for everyone.
We’ll shortly be heading over to the Hyundai stand in Hall 8, Stand C 29 for the Hyundai Press Conference, which takes place at 12:55 CEST. If you’re unable to attend in person, you can tune in to the livestream at www.hyundai.news/iaa2017. Viewers can look behind the scenes and watch interviews with European executives from Hyundai Motor, previewing the latest news from the brand. In the meantime, here’s an introduction to the third Hyundai model to receive its public debut later on, the All-New KONA.
The i30 Fastback is characterised by its strong stance and sporty, elongated lines. Like other members of the i30 range, it offers Hyundai SmartSense active safety and driving assistance features, democratising technology and making premium design and features accessible for everyone.
12:00 PM
We’ll shortly be heading over to the Hyundai stand in Hall 8, Stand C 29 for the Hyundai Press Conference, which takes place at 12:55 CEST. If you’re unable to attend in person, you can tune in to the livestream at www.hyundai.news/iaa2017. Viewers can look behind the scenes and watch interviews with European executives from Hyundai Motor, previewing the latest news from the brand. In the meantime, here’s an introduction to the third Hyundai model to receive its public debut later on, the All-New KONA.
The All-New Hyundai KONA
The All-New KONA is a true SUV with a bold and progressive design, premium features, accessible connectivity and the latest safety technologies. Hyundai’s KONA offers a sleek, sharp design with full-LED twin headlamps, two-tone roof and a choice of ten distinctive exterior colours. This new SUV combines optional on-demand four-wheel drive, 7DCT and Hyundai’s latest powertrains. It expresses the lifestyle of modern urban customers.
12:55 PM – Press Conference
The stage is set here at Messe Frankfurt as hordes of excited journalists and automotive industry experts ready themselves for the start of the Hyundai Press Conference. So far, we’ve spotted Thomas Schmid, Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Europe, who will be on stage shortly to introduce the All-New KONA. People are now taking their seats ahead of the introductory Hyundai film.
Hyung Cheong Kim, President & CEO at Hyundai Motor Europe, takes to the stage to begin proceedings, and he reveals that Hyundai has sold more than 7.5 million cars since entering the European market 40 years ago. In the last ten years, the company’s sales have grown by 87%, with 2017 set to deliver another record sales performance. Hyung Cheong Kim reveals that Hyundai plans to launch five new SUVs in the next two years to meet the growing demand of European customers. By 2020, 15 eco Hyundai models will be on sale globally, including electric, hybrid and fuel cell cars.
13:10 PM
Thomas Schmid, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor Europe, appears on stage to discuss Hyundai Motor’s “Future Now” in relation to the brand new models that are on show today. Since 2001, Hyundai sold almost 1.5 million SUVs in Europe, and the line-up is now expanding with the company’s first-ever B-SUV, the All-New KONA. Next year, he says, Hyundai will launch the electric KONA, which will merge the two hottest trends of the automotive market: SUVs and EVs. He further announced Hyundai Motor's plans to launch its first pure-electric car sharing programme in metropolitan Amsterdam in early October. Consisting of 100 IONIQ Electric vehicles, the car sharing fleet will democratise e-mobility.
Schmid turns to the i30 range. The Hyundai i30 is the company’s most successful model, and is approaching the 1 million sales milestone. The All-New i30 Fastback is the latest member of the i30 family, and brings stylish premium design to the segment as the first five-door coupé. “It’s a real beauty,” he says. Schmid brings his speech to a close, and introduces a video of the i30 N.
13:20 PM
Schmid makes way for Albert Biermann, Head of Vehicle Test and High Performance Development, who arrives on stage to introduce Hyundai’s first high-performance model, the i30 N. The success of the Hyundai Motorsport team in the FIA World Rally Championship inspired the company to develop this model, says Biermann.
Biermann says that the strength of the i30 N is built on three pillars. Firstly, it’s a “Corner Rascal”, and features Hyundai’s newly-developed N Corner Carving Differential (E-LSD) and N Power Sense Axle which enhances grip and provides a unique carving feel throughout the corner. Secondly, the i30 N’s wide range of on-board customisation makes it a practical everyday sports car. Finally, there’s no need for expensive track packages as it provides race track capability. Biermann ends by teasing that two further exciting N models will be added to the range in 2018.
13:30 PM
The press conference is now over, and Hyundai Motor has showcased three models boasting innovative technology: the i30 N, the i30 Fastback and the All-New KONA. Let’s take a look at some of the other Hyundai highlights.
Visitors to the IAA can also preview the company’s future powertrain technologies. Smart Stream is Hyundai’s new efficient and fuel-saving powertrain line-up and promises to deliver a cleaner, dynamic driving performance. The full IONIQ line-up is also on display, with the Hybrid, Electric and Plug-in Hybrid versions all here in Frankfurt. The IONIQ is the world’s first car with three electric powertrains and is Hyundai Motor’s contribution to a cleaner future and low-to-zero-emission driving.
Contacts
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Adriana Cerami
Head of Corporate & Brand PR
acerami@hyundai-europe.comElvira Vella-Herrera
Executive & Internal Communications Senior Expert
eherrera@hyundai-europe.comMaria Bricio
Corporate & Brand Communications Expert
mbricio@hyundai-europe.comPatricia Lammers
Corporate Communications Expert
patricia.lammers@hyundai-europe.comConor Twomey
Head of Product PR
conor.twomey@hyundai-europe.comAdrian Péré
Product PR Manager
apere@hyundai-europe.comKatharina Kupper
Hyundai Newsroom Lead
