HYUNDAI Motor has revealed their new Bayon model, an all-new crossover SUV designed specifically for Europe.

As a B-segment SUV, Bayon will be the latest and smallest member of Hyundai’s expanding SUV family.

The all-new Bayon features a compact exterior, a roomy interior, and a long list of intelligent safety and connectivity features which make it stand out in its segment.

In line with Hyundai’s existing SUV naming strategy, Bayon’s name was inspired by a vacation hotspot: Bayonne, the capital of the French Basque Country and one of the most beautiful destinations in the south-west of France. As Bayon is designed to meet the demands of the European market, the company decided to give it a European name.

With Bayon, Hyundai has now launched or enhanced seven new models in just 12 months – or 20, counting all body types and powertrain variations making 2020 a record year for its fleet expansion.

Bayon is available with 15-inch steel wheels or 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels and a total of nine exterior colours are available, including a new launch colour, Mangrove Green. An optional two-tone roof in Phantom Black is also available with several exterior colours.

Bayon features a clean, roomy, well-lit interior where there is a strong focus on maximising front and rear passenger comfort and increasing boot space. The interior is defined by a range of connectivity equipment, including a 10.25-inch digital cluster and a 10.25-inch AVN or 8-inch Display Audio. Occupants can benefit from LED ambient lighting technology integrated into the front passenger foot areas, door wells, and front door pull handle areas, as well as the storage area below the centre console.

Its makers say Bayon boasts excellent fuel efficiency and highly competitive CO2 emissions ranking thanks to an updated Kappa engine family. The T-GDi is a downsized turbo-charged engine with direct injection for optimum efficiency. When combined with Hyundai’s unique 48-volt mild hybrid technology (48V) with intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT), this results in even more enhanced fuel savings and efficiency.

iMT disengages the engine from the transmission when the driver releases the accelerator. This allows the vehicle to start coasting, reducing emissions and saving fuel.

At the top of the line-up is a 1.0-litre T-GDi engine with 120 or 100 PS and which can be coupled with the six-speed intelligent Manual Transmission (6iMT) or a seven-speed dual clutch transmission (7DCT).

It is believed the new Bayon will arrive in dealerships in June with full UK spec and pricing yet to be revealed.

Still in doldrums

THE UK new car market declined by -35.5 per cent in February as 28,282 fewer units were registered during a traditionally weak month for new vehicle uptake, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The industry recorded its lowest February uptake since 1959, with 51,312 new cars registered.