Hyundai's i20, launched in South Africa in 2010, offers a feature-loaded package at a price that has Japanese competitors choking on their sushi (most Korean cars do that!) but it is not, as Jeremy Clarkson would put it, a cool car.
In an attempt to lower i20's temperature, particularly in the eyes of younger car-buyers, Hyundai SA have re-visited their spec sheet, ticked a few extra boxes and created a new derivative aimed at squarely at the rave generation - the i20 remix.
It gets 15” alloy rims shod with 185/60 radials (steel rims with plastic covers may be practical, but they are not cool) a rear spoiler on top of the hatch back, park distance control, tinted safety film on the rear and side windows, and a six-speaker radio/CD/MP3 audio system with Bluetooth, iPod and USB connectivity.
And how much extra does all that cost?
Nada. Niks. Not a cent
The Hyundai i20 remix sells for the same R169 900 as the vanilla-flavour GLS version, with the same 91kW, 156Nm, twin-cam 1.6-litre Gamma engine and five-speed manual 'box taking it from red light to 100 kays in 9.5 seconds and on to 190km/h.
Average fuel consumption is also the same: expect to burn about six litres per 100km in mixed driving.
PLENTY STANDARD KIT:
Air conditioning; power mirrors and windows all round with one touch up/down for the driver; remote central locking; remote fuel-flap release; satellite audio controls on the steering wheel;trip computer for average and instant fuel consumption, distance to empty and ambient temperature and full-sized alloy spare wheel.
The rear-seat backrest has a 60:40 split as does the cushion. With the squabs tilted forward, there's a low, perfectly flat load area with a maximum load length of 1.35 metres.
And, to make sure the music doesn't stop, there's a five-year or 150 000km warranty and a three-year or 60 000km service plan.