New Hyundai i40 revealed

Hyundai has announced that its new D-segment car for Europe will be called i40. And for those of you that don't know what a D-segment car is (tut, tut), it's Ford Mondeo-size. Basically, bigger than a small family car, but smaller than an executive car. Phew.

All we can show at the moment are these design sketches from Hyundai's European R&D facilities in Rüsselsheim, Germany, where the new i40 is currently under development, specifically for the European market.

Set to make its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March, the new i40 aims to further shift European consumer perception of Hyundai to a more aspirational position, thanks to the vehicle's dynamic design and class-leading quality, performance and technical features. So say Hyundai, at least.

Oddly, the i40 will be launched in estate form with a saloon version following later in 2011, and plans to become Hyundai's most innovative, eco-friendly and economical model on sale in Europe, and will feature a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Looks kind of swooping and modern in the sketches, but these sort of drawings are usually a little sexier than the
real deal made in metal. The wheels always shrink a few inches and the suspension has to rise for the real-world
of potholes and speed bumps