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Not all torque for Hyundai's i30 at Targa
The first factory backed Hyundai Motor Company Australia Targa Tasmania entry proved to be up to the challenge, finishing ahead of more powerful Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions, a Mazda MX-5 and V8 powered Holden Commodores.
The multi-award winning i30 CRDi turbo diesel hit the start line in the Showroom Category, as the competition’s most fuel efficient vehicle, alongside more experienced and powerful manufacturer entries. Potentially disadvantaged by being less powerful than the category line-up, the Hyundai i30 finished Targa Tasmania with a Targa Trophy and outright Class win.
Hyundai driver Razvan Vlad, and navigator Ioana Vlad, also newcomers to Targa Tasmania took the i30 through the stages with precision and consistency to finish 11th overall in the Showroom class ahead of nine other entrants.
With an average daily fuel consumption figure of 7.15 litres per 100km and no major service requirements, the technical crew only needed to conduct basic daily maintenance on the robust and reliable i30.
“After five days of tough competition, 40 stages and nearly 2000 kilometres, the i30 CRDi performed brilliantly,” said Razvan Vlad. “The i30 did not miss a beat all weekend and handled very well, even on the slippery and challenging wet roads which really suited the car.”
The teams battled drenching rain for much of the final stages. “In our smaller, two-wheel drive we outperformed some of the more powerful AWD contenders,” Vlad continued. “The Tasmanian Hyundai dealership group, Motors Hyundai, provided a very professional service crew. This all added up to a fantastic result, we are very proud of our performance.”
“The i30 has already proven itself with class victories in Targa West over the past two years,” said Ian Juster, Hyundai’s Regional General Manager said. “With a raft of Australian awards under its belt, Targa Tasmania was a new challenge for the team and the i30 CRDi proved it is possible to be both fuel efficient and competitive, whilst again demonstrating its credibility and reliability.”
Razvan and Ioana Vlad will now concentrate on repeating their previous 2008 and 2009 successes at the 2010 Targa West in Perth, where they will again represent Hyundai Motor Company Australia.
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