Hyundai i800- Size Really Does Matter - page 2

29-10-2008 11:20

Initially feeling a tad intimidated by such big dimensions and in danger of turning into a van driver, the i800 is surprisingly nimble to manoeuvre into the tight parking bays at the supermarket. This is thanks to the power assisted steering and or course those valuable rear-parking senses. Once in the parking bay, is where the manually sliding doors come into their own as the children clamber out. Thankfully I am quite thin so managed to squeeze out of my door. What really surprised me was the performance of this i800 taking just 14.5 seconds to reach 62 mph and having a top speed of 112 mph. The car really held the speed well and saw off many other surprised motorists on the motorways. This is down to a new 2.5 litre diesel engine, which is intercooled and features a variable geometry turbo. Despite the impressive performance, fuel economy is pretty economical with a combined figure of 33.2 mpg and CO2 emissions falling in at 225g/km putting the i800 into VED band F.

The ride and handling was equally impressive with no roller coaster feel yet being a larger car, early braking is required. Luckily the i800 comes with ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution for safe secure stopping. Enhancing this is ESP that reduces over–steering and under-steering by providing braking forces to the appropriate wheel if necessary. The i800 comes with a five sped manual transmission that occasionally you had to wrestle with and the handbrake was badly placed being so low down inevitably it was not always released fully to which a loud audible warning bell told you – again.

Carrying so many occupants means safety has to be an important issue. The i800 comes with driver and passenger airbags, plus three point seatbelts and height adjustable head restraints for all eight seats. The front belts are height adjustable with pretensioners. The rear sliding doors are fitted with child locks and the middle row has ISOFIX child seat mountings.

In case an accident does occur, the i800 has a four ringed strengthened body with rigid cabin and crush zones, impact absorbing bumpers, side impact intrusion bars and auto unlock on impact to protect all passengers.

Securing the i800 is central locking and alarm thus falls into insurance group 14D.

I can honestly say I cannot think of another car that rivals this i800 for larger families. It may lack high quality materials and finishes but in terms of space, practicality and economy it is an iii all round. For added peace of mind the i800 comes with Hyundai’s five year unlimited mileage warranty.

Size really does matter.

Jackie Violet – Female First