Hyundai Motor is flexing its muscle in Europe, with the new-generation i10 compact hatch making its global debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The new i10, designed by the carmaker’s Europe design team and built at the Turkish plant in the region, aims to join the heated small-hatchback market, especially against the Volkswagen Up.

On Wednesday, Hyundai Motor Europe released the first pictures of the new model, which comes five years after its predecessor went on sale. 

“The new-generation i10 is another significant step forward for Hyundai Motor. Every aspect of the car has been designed and rigorously developed to meet the demands and needs of European consumers,” said Allan Rushforth, senior vice president and COO of Hyundai’s European unit.

According to the company, the new i10 offers features that are typically found in higher-segment cars such as automatic climate control, heated leather steering wheel and cruise control with speed limiter.

The car ― longer, wider and lower than its predecessor ― also provides “best-in-class” legroom and cargo capacity, and delivers more precise wheel control, the carmaker said.

The i10 was designed and developed at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center in Russelsheim, Germany, and will be the first A-segment, or mini, Hyundai car to be built in Europe.

Hyundai plans to enter production in September and has doubled its output capacity at the Turkish plant to produce 200,000 i10 cars annually.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)