i40(CW) is definitely a station wagon and not SUV.
It's actually quite "low" (car height) even for a station wagon. Look at next comparison (dimensions) between i40CW and i30CW:
i30CW (or Elantra touring):
(l) 4.5 m × (w) 1.78 m × (height) 1.520 / 1.565* m (* with roof rack)
i40(CW):
(l) 4.77 m × (w) 1.82 m × (height) 1.470 m
So that means the i40CW is even
5 cm (2 inches) lower than i30CW. And that's without roof racks!! With roof racks, it's almost
10 cm (4 inches). That's a HUUGE difference. Check out the video below, you'll see how low it looks next to the models. I hope you'll be able to see the car
And few more information about i40(CW), which I found when it was tested in Germany:
Engines:
1.) 1.7 CRDi (115 hp)
Torque: 260 Nm (@1.250-2.750 rpm)
Max speed: 190 km/h
2.) 1.7 CRDi (136 hp)
Torque: 325 Nm (@2.000-2.500 rpm)
Max speed: 198 km/h
3.) 1.6 petrol (135 hp)
Torque: 164 Nm (@4.850 rpm)
Max speed: 195 km/h
4.) 2.0 petrol (177 hp)
Torque: 208 Nm (@4.700 rpm)
Max speed: 210 km/h
OK, so.. What I find very interesting. First, when you look at engines (1.6, 1.7, etc..) they seem too weak. But when you check the data, it seems, they've done a good job tuning it for the best performance.
First engine, 1.7 CRDi with 115 hp, has remarkable torque. With that, I don't mean the amount of torque..I'm talking about the range. Look, the torque is 260 Nm, which is okay, but it's available already from 1.250 rpm and it keeps on "torque-ing" till late 2.750 rpm. I can't remember when was the last time, I saw a diesel that had all that torque from early low 1.250 rpm. Really. I think, that engine is really great to drive. It's not among the fastest, of course, but top speed is good (190km/h), I'm sure the acceleration (0-100) is at least also around 11-12 sec, the torque is also high enough (260Nm). And I think the fuel consumption is around 4,3 lit/100km. I would probably go for more powerful engine, but maybe this one could even be one of the most versatile. I would have to take a good test drive with it, before crossing it out of list.
Second engine, 1.7 CRDi with 136 hp sounds the right one for me. Top speed is good (198 km/h), I'm sure acceleration is under or at least around 10 sec and it "produces" 325 Nm of torque. But what I'm not that keen about is the range on which that torque is available. According to them, it's between 2.000 rpm and 2.500 rpm. That seems like it needs to be driven at higher rev's too keep up with the traffic (well if you want to have it ready for acceleration) and the fun stops (or at least starts to slow down) after 2.500.. I'm not sure about that. I'm hoping it was a typing mistake or something. Well maybe I'm just being too skeptical and it works just great. Previously written pushed aside, this engine still is my favorite (even though I haven't driven it yet).
Third, 1.6 lit with 135 hp. Not really sure about it. Top speed is great (195km/h), but I have hard time imagining a 1.6 (non turbo) petrol engine in car as big as i40. It's probably good, drives smoothly and it will probably be the cheapest... But.. We'll see.
Fourth, the 2.0 lit petrol engine with 177 hp. I think this should be fun. It will probably sound like a kitty, but go like a tiger. Okay, maybe I'm overreacting, but it will probably be a very serious competitor to cars like Honda Accord Tourer or Mazda 6 wagon. It has powerful engine, which Honda buyers usually buy (when you look at Honda Accord, the weakest one is 2.0 petrol engine with 156 hp). It looks very interesting and similar to those two cars and it probably drives very similar to them. And it's quite "exotic" for our market as it's not a VW, Audi, BMW, or some other brand like that.
If I had a chance (money), I would probably go for 1.7 CRDi (135 hp engine) or even consider the 2.0 petrol (177hp) one. No doubt about that. Regarding the fact I drive less lately, I would seriously consider the powerful petrol engine, but then again, the torque really feels great, especially when going uphill (remember the videos).
I'll copy this text to i40CW thread, so we could comment actual findings, after someone actually drives it .
