Launched in 2002, the Hyundai Matrix brought a new sense of style to the mini-van sector. Styled by Pininfarina, the deep side windows and compact exterior dimensions quickly established it for the younger family market throughout Europe.

The current facelift is designed to bring it right up to date. New fresh exterior styling is complemented by a full new colour range. The interior is also refreshed to bring it into line with other current Hyundai models.

Exterior Styling

Much loved by younger families, the styling of the Matrix has always had a friendly, appealing nature. The current facelift emphasises this. From the front, the design changes begin with a new front bumper with sculpted air dam and fog lamp surrounds. The radiator grille has also been redesigned. The enlarged wraparound dual light headlight clusters have been more smoothly integrated adding a high-tech appearance. The bonnet and front wings have also been redesigned with a smoother, more sporting profile. This is highlighted by the new sporty wheel covers. The result is a more attractive front and front three quarters view.

Changes to the rear styling are minimal but also serve to add a slightly more sporting flavour. The rear bumper has been redesigned and houses new style fog lamps. There have also been changes in terms of colour choice. Five among the total nine colours have been replaced with new colours: Bronze Gray, Velvet Red, Continental Silver, Indigo Blue and Extreme Blue. The original Nobel White, Ebony Black, Gold Beige and Celadon Blue remain available.

Interior

New grey seat upholstery is standardised on both the GL and GLS versions, with new red or blue seat upholstery optional on both. Elsewhere, the features that helped establish the Matrix are retained. The sliding 40/60 folding rear seat, full auto air conditioning, practical centre console and electric power windows all carry over. Naturally, the exceptionally comfortable high seating position, supportive seats and excellent all-round vision still remain. Also, the class competitive carrying capacity of 365 litres with seats upright and 1,300 litres with rear seats folded remains. A tilt and slide sunroof is available as an option.

Power train and Chassis

A choice of three engines remains available. These are the Alpha 1.6 103PS, Beta 1.8 123PS, both petrol and the 1.5 CRDi diesel engine delivering 110PS. All three engines are available with a 5-speed manual transmission, while both petrol engines can be matched with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Suspension is MacPherson strut front and dual link with coils rear with gas-filled shock absorbers all round.

Safety

As with all Hyundai vehicles a rigid safety frame is reinforced at strategic points with high tensile strength steels. This is complemented by crumple zones and load impact distribution. Driver side airbag, pretensioned seatbelts and child safety locks are standard. Passenger airbag and side airbags could be standard/optional varying on countries and region. Active safety features include ABS and both ESP and electronic traction control are available.

Comfort and Convenience

A full range of comfort and convenience features are standard or optional on Matrix. Items include sunglasses- and cupholders, deep map pockets, a roomy glove box, a rear seat armrest with storage and cup holders, dual 12v power outlets, rear storage boxes and luggage retaining nets, rear luggage cover and windshield de-icing.

Hyundai Motor Europe GmbH (HME) was established in 2000. Located in Offenbach, Germany, it coordinates all marketing, sales and after sales activities in all of Hyundai’s 26 European markets. It employs nearly 200 people of various nationalities. Hyundai is the third largest Asian automobile brand in Europe. The annual European sales volume reached 330,000 vehicles in 2006. More information on Hyundai Motor Europe is available in the internet at http://www.hyundai-motor-europe.com.