Hyundai Motor Australia announced that the i30 hatch had attained a maximum five star score in the latest crash tests conducted by Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

Significantly, the i30s 5-star award came about at the instigation of Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA), Hyundais local subsidiary. The i30 recently achieved a four-star result in European NCAP testing, but close investigation by HMCA revealed that only minor, non-structural changes would be necessary for the car to receive a full five stars.

“In the end, the solution was very simple,” said Kevin McCann, Hyundai’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “We found that potential injury to the knee area could be minimised by changing the padding material beneath the steering column and increasing its thickness. This change has been quickly acted on by our parent company, and we’re delighted that ANCAP has confirmed our confidence in the i30″.

The accolade is the latest in a long line of awards that the i30 has received so far. Hyundais i30 also received the 2007 Car of the Year award and was named Green Car of the Year, 2007 Panasonic Solar Challenge, and Best Small Car 2008 by Eco Magazine.

Hyundai Motor Company won trust from the evaluation organization and consumers alike by meeting the technical demands of the rating. Therefore, it is expected to become a leader in the Small Car segment, which has the biggest consumer demand, and to have a positive impact on consumer vehicle purchases in the future.

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