Hyundai says it is watching sales of the diminutive Smart before making an official decision to bring the small i10 to the North American market. The i10, which is larger than the Smart ForTwo, but still somewhat smaller than anything Hyundai or Kia sells in North America, would be marketed as a roomy, efficient five-door hatch.
The i10, which went on sale last fall in more than 70 countries, is assembled in Chennai, India. It’s about 35 inches longer overall than a Smart, but, at just 140.4 inches in overall length, the i10 is still more than 20 inches shorter than a Honda Fit.
An unidentified Hyundai source told Automotive News that beefed-up prototypes for the North American market have already been produced. With more than 400 lbs of additional features to allow the i10 to meet U.S. safety standards, the car would also require a little extra under the hood. In Indian specification, the i10 comes with either a 80-horsepower 1.2-liter four-cylinder or a 66-horsepower 1.1 liter four. The 1.2 averages (on the combined cycle) 47 mpg and the 1.1 sips fuel at a rate of 56 mpg.
Hyundai is reportedly watching Smart sales to test the long-term viability of selling a small city car in the North America. It’s unknown whether Hyundai would badge the car as a Hyundai or Kia.
08/18, 10:25 AM
posted by:
carbonsigma
At least The Stig owns one…
08/18, 10:54 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Willkommen in die dritte Welt!
08/18, 10:56 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Note to the author: It’s 35 inches L_O_N_G_E_R than a Smart.
Not shorter.
08/18, 11:05 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
I think he means shorter in height. The Smart is actually kind of tall.
08/18, 11:19 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
I dont think so. The Smart is 61 inches tall per official stats. That means this car would have to be just over 2 feet tall. I think that myth about asians being shorter would be put to the test if this car is only 26 inches tall.
08/18, 11:51 AM
posted by:
ktulu
do it!
08/18, 12:02 PM
posted by:
bigp
just like my geo
08/18, 12:35 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
400lbs extra just to make a tiny little sh*tbox like this legal in North America? That’s like being forced to carry an extra engine and transmission. Amazing.
08/18, 12:37 PM
posted by:
shaver
myth about asians being shorter , Myth? Next you will tell me Asians having tiny dicks or being good at math is a myth too.
08/18, 1:23 PM
posted by:
crackerhemi
I think we can all agree on one thing that isn’t a myth: Shaver being a faggot.
08/18, 1:24 PM
posted by:
crackerhemi
Also, I think you are jealous that you can’t fit in this car, because you took quite a big offense when I talked about fatties. GO lose some weight, fatty honky tonk.
08/18, 3:30 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
That’s pretty funny, Mayer. I can imagine having to lie down in this car instead of sitting.
By the way, the error was fixed, and now it reads: “It’s about 35 inches longer overall than a Smart, but, at just 140.4 inches in overall length, the i10 is still more than 20 inches shorter than a Honda Fit.”
Still, that was very funny.
08/18, 4:22 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Bring on the Kei’s!!!
08/18, 4:33 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
Are you kidding me??? Who would be ashamed of NOT getting into this POS? Crackerhemi, quit being such a homo, if you like little $H!Tboxe’s then that’s fine, just don’t make yourself look like more of the queer that you are by being proud that you like these little pos’s. I hope I see you driving one so I can T-Bone your @$$.
08/18, 4:43 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Well, I personally am not fond of this particular little car, but I like little cars. I think the Fit is pretty cool looking, and I really like the Smart. I just do, and I’m not ashamed of it. But I also love big cars like the ‘69 Charger Daytona and the new Challenger. My ultimate favorite cars are the restored ones from the ’40s and ’50s. I’ll be the first to admit that I like stuff like this (again, not this particular one). I’m secure enough with myself that I can drive these without feeling insecure. I don’t think people should knock other people just because they like or dislike a car. If we all thought the same way, most cars would never sell. But I for one am man enough to admit when I like a certain car, and I’m in no way ashamed of it.
08/18, 4:52 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Hey Shaver, go ask Yao Ming how short he is and also ask if you can see how “tiny” his weener is.
08/18, 5:51 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
so back to talking about Hyundai……
08/18, 6:57 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
“I think we can all agree on one thing that isn’t a myth: Shaver being a faggot.
Comment by crackerhemi”
LOL!!!
08/18, 10:28 PM
posted by:
inline6
beatus, I’m there with you.
I’m a BIG big-car fan, and I love what we had to offer in the ’40s, ’50s, ’60s, and into the mid-’70s.
However, I love small cars, too. This i10 doesn’t get me excited or anything, but if it prompts other automakers (PSA, Renault, Fiat, Opel/Vauxhall, etc.) to bring over their smaller models, all the better.