New 2009 Hyundai i800 Minivan For Europe Launched

Hyundai has unveiled the Hyundai i800, its full-size 8-seater diesel powered minivan for Europe. i800 had made its debut last year as Hyundai H1 Starex in Korean home market. It will go on sale in UK from 20th June 2008 onwards with a base price tag of £19,495 ($38,000).

Tony Whitehorn, managing director of Hyundai UK said: “anyone wanting to carry eight people in car-like comfort currently has to take two cars – or spend a lot more than £20,000. We think the i800 will prove massively popular with families and businesses who need to move people in style.”

The 2009 model Hyundai i800 features three rows of seats with the two last rows capable of a 60:40 split-fold and recline while the centre row can slide forwards or backwards. It comes with a pair of sliding doors which allow easy access to all the rear seats. i800 has an ability to carry 8 adults comfortably with 851 liters of boot space remaining, which is almost double of what you get in an average estate wagon. Now this miracle happens due to large exterior size with length measuring 5.125 metres and the width of 1.920 metres.

The Euro spec i800 is powered by Hyundai’s new 2.5-liter four-cylinder CRDi diesel engine which is intercooled and features a variable-geometry turbo. It develops 170 hp of horsepower and 392Nm of torque and the power is transferred to the rear-wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. A lower powered, lower spec version for more industrial usage will come later at a cheaper price.

Safety features in the new Hyundai van includes rear-wheel-drive handling backed up by ESP and traction control systems plus dual airbags. In addition, it comes with electronic reversing sensors as standard and three-point seatbelts for all occupants. According to Hyundai, its i800 is capable of achieving a combined fuel economy of 33.2 mpg. Thanks to a 75 litre tank, it means the i800 driver could go more than 560 miles between fill ups.

Euro Spec 09 Model Hyundai i800: Photos & Pictures.