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These are the first pictures of the forthcoming Hyundai i40, which will be unveiled in the metal at the Geneva motor show in March 2011.

Designed to take on large family cars such as the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia, Renault Laguna and Citroen C5, the i40 will initially be offered in estate form only. A saloon will follow later in the year.

Until now, Hyundai has focused on small cars, aside from the Santa Fe 4x4 and the iX35 that arrived earlier this year. The company has decided that the time is now right to enter the ultra-competitive family car segment, which is popular with company car drivers.

The i40 will be Hyundai's flagship model, as well as its most technologically advanced. It will spearhead the company's drive to reduce CO2 emissions, and will also feature Hyundai's new design language, known as Fluidic Sculpture.

Allan Rushforth, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Europe commented: "We have bold ambitions for Hyundai in Europe, and the new i40 will provide the momentum we need to achieve our goals in 2011 and beyond.

"We expect the quality of the new i40 to continue the development of our image in Europe and attract new customers to the Hyundai brand".

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