Series production of the mild-hybrid Hyundai Bayon has begun at the Hyundai Assan Otomotiv Sanayi (HAOS) plant in Izmit, Turkey. The Bayon is the third model for Hyundai’s Turkish factory, which can roll out up to 230,000 vehicles a year.
Hyundai says that the Bayon will reach European showrooms in summer 2021, which means that customer deliveries could begin next month. The new small SUV, which comes with two electrified engine options (48V), is Europe’s alternative to the Venue, which is sold in other regions. Here’s everything you need to know about it:
Design
Hyundai says that it has designed the Bayon for drivers to navigate European cities with “comfort and great design.” While the basic design formula is a ‘raised’ Hyundai i20, it has plenty of new features to create an individual identity. While incorporating the brand’s Sensuous Sportiness design theme, the recipe may not be the best example in the Hyundai lineup of a ‘sensuous’ model.
The talking point in the aggressive face of the pseudo SUV. The three-tier grille layout of the Hyundai Kona can be observed, with a slim opening at the hood level, a conventionally large opening below, and a compact intake at the base. The grilles are wider on this model for a more dominating appearance. Composite headlamps is a signature design cue of modern Hyundai crossover SUVs. The headlamp design and grille layout, while distinctive enough, are reminiscent of the Hyundai Kona. As opposed to the Hyundai Tucson, it has smooth corners that give it a relatively softer styling.
Moving to the rear, the tailgate has a convex appearance, comprising a steeply raked upper portion. It softly reminds us of the Ford Focus of the previous generations. A techy-looking light guide adorns the gloss black panel on the tailgate and connects the arrow-shaped brake lights.
The Bayon is an entry-level crossover SUV for the B-segment of the European market. It is positioned below the 4.2-meter (165.6-inch) Hyundai Kona that received a facelift last August. As a crossover derived from the i20 sub-compact hatchback, the way Kia’s XCeed was derived from the Ceed, it is the successor to the i20 Active.
The base Bayon has 15-inch steel wheels, and in higher configurations, 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel options are available. Hyundai offers a total of sixteen colour variations, nine single-tone and seven dual-tone:
- Mangrove Green Pearl
- Phantom Black Pearl
- Polar White
- Sleek Silver Metallic
- Elemental Brass Metallic
- Dragon Red Pearl
- Aqua Turquoise Metallic
- Aurora Grey Pearl
- Intense Blue Pearl
- Mangrove Green Pearl with Phantom Black Roof
- Polar White with Phantom Black Roof
- Sleek Silver Metallic with Phantom Black Roof
- Elemental Brass Metallic with Phantom Black Roof
- Dragon Red Pearl with Phantom Black Roof
- Aqua Turquoise Metallic with Phantom Black Roof
- Intense Blue Pearl with Phantom Black Roof
Interior
The interior design of the Hyundai Bayon is identical to the i20. It has the same cockpit layout, with the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch centre touchscreen, luxury car-style four-spoke steering wheel, slim AC vents, and sleek climate control panel. However, the 50 mm taller body (compared to the i20) measuring up to 1,500 mm in height allows easier entry and exit.
While the i20 offers 352 litres of boot space, the Hyundai Bayon gives more everyday practicality with its 411-litre boot. That measurement also trumps that of the Hyundai Kona (374 litres), a model designed from the outset as a crossover. Folding down the rear seats, 1,205 litres of luggage space can be achieved which is significantly better than Kona’s 1,156 litres. However, outside the Hyundai world, the Skoda Kamiq offers more luggage space in the segment – 1,395 litres.
Safety
Many ‘SmartSense’ safety features are standard in the Bayon. In the UK, Hyundai says that several semi-autonomous driving features distinguish this model from rivals. Lane Following Assist (LFA) ensures that the vehicle remains centred in its lane. In the event of a potential collision, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) first gives a sound warning, and if necessary, then applies the brakes. In addition to the car, pedestrian, and cyclist detection, FCA includes Junction Turning to take care of the occupants even at intersections.
In case an accident occurs, if the airbags are deployed, eCall automatically alerts emergency services. The driver or passenger(s) can manually use this feature by activating it with the press of a button. Below are some of the other main safety features of the Hyundai Bayon:
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA)
- High Beam Assist (HBA)
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
- Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA)
- Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Warning (RCCW)
Engine & Transmission
The Hyundai Bayon features an electrified engine and transmission to maintain Hyundai’s emission profile in Europe. The new crossover SUV follows the footsteps of the i20 and Kona in the aspect of the engine and transmission combinations.
The Hyundai Bayon hires the services of the Hyundai Motor Group’s 1.0-litre T-GDi gasoline engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology – a turbocharged three-cylinder mill that buyers can specify with an Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT). Essentially an enhancement over traditional start & stop technology, the 48-volt mild-hybrid system allows the vehicle to run on electric power when decelerating or stopping, i.e. before the vehicle comes to a halt. Hyundai’s iMT is a 6-speed unit that works in combination with the mild-hybrid system.
The iMT’s clutch operates purely electronically in what’s termed a ‘clutch-by-wire’ system. It decouples the engine from the transmission after the driver releases the accelerator and thus, allows the vehicle to coast and conserve fuel. The engine comes back into action, in the same gear, immediately when the driver engages either the brake or the throttle. More engine-transmission combinations are available, as shown in the specification table below:
Check out the 1.0-litre T-GDi and iMT combinations that are available in the Hyundai Bayon:
| Hyundai Bayon Aspect | 1.2 MPi 84 PS | 1.0 T-GDi 100 PS | 1.0 T-GDi 100 PS 48V (mild hybrid) | 1.0 T-GDi 120 PS 48V (mild hybrid) |
| Engine | 1.2-litre MPi | 1.0-litre T-GDi | 1.0-litre T-GDi | 1.0-litre T-GDi |
| Type | Four-cylinder MPi gasoline | Three-cylinder Turbo GDi gasoline | Three-cylinder Turbo GDi gasoline 48V with mild-hybrid system | Three-cylinder Turbo GDi gasoline with 48V mild-hybrid system |
| Maximum Power | 84 PS (83 hp) | 100 PS (99 hp) | 100 PS (99 hp) | 120 PS (118 hp) |
| Maximum Torque | 12 kgf.m (87 lb.-ft.) | 17.5 kgf.m Nm (127 lb.-ft.) | 17.5 kgf.m Nm (127 lb.-ft.) | 17.5 kgf.m Nm (127 lb.-ft.) |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT | 6-speed MT/7-speed DCT | 6-speed iMT/7-speed DCT | 6-speed iMT/7-speed DCT |
Price
Hyundai explains that ‘Bayon’ comes from Bayonne in France, a popular city for adventure activities like sailing and hiking. The image of the French city is a good fit for the new crossover SUV’s lifestyle character and explains why HMC finalized the name. Hyundai will manufacture the Bayon alongside the i20 at the Izmit factory in Turkey and export it to more than 40 European countries.
The prices of the Hyundai Bayon in the UK, the Netherlands, and France start at GBP 20,295, EUR 21,695, and EUR 17,950, respectively.
The Bayon car is “primarily a European product.” Considering the dimensions, we don’t see Hyundai launching it in other regions. In Australia, where the the company offers the Venue in the B-Segment, CarAdvice has reported a no-go for Bayon’s release. NZ Autocar has said the same about the launch in New Zealand.
How about a Hyundai Bayon N?
The Hyundai Bayon is derived from the third-gen Hyundai i20. The hatchback’s range includes a high-performance variant, and technically the latest member of the Korean automaker’s ever-growing SUV line could receive one.
With that in mind, TopElectricSUV.com has worked on a rendering of a Hyundai Bayon N, painted in the N division’s signature colour ‘Performance Blue.’ It sports an aggressive radiator grille with the N logo, dynamic bumpers with a lip spoiler at the front and a faux diffuser at the back, bespoke wheels, unique side sills, N-branded red brake callipers, and a WRC-inspired roof spoiler. Tomato Red accents on the aero parts accentuate the exclusive styling of the performance crossover.
Featured Image Source: Hyundai
I got my Master’s in Business Management & Administration and have been an International Automotive News Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to global motor shows and automotive events, driven various types of vehicles, and focused on hybrid and electric cars in the last 4 years.
