THE wraps have been lifted from Hyundai's stylish looking i40 family model at the Barcelona Motor Show.

It follows the global unveiling of its tourer stablemate in Geneva earlier this spring and has a completely European identity having been designed and engineered at the Korean company's R&D centre in Germany.

Hyundai claims the saloon, which goes on sale this winter, will be best in its class for front head, shoulder and legroom.

The company's European chief Allan Rushforth said: "The reveal of the saloon represents the next step of the i40's introduction to the European market, following the very positive reception for the i40 tourer."

Hyundai has ambitious targets for the range, expecting it to sell 60,000 units in a full year, en route to the company reaching a three per cent market share by the end of 2011.

As for design, well the i40 saloon represents the next evolution of what Hyundai calls its ‘fluidic sculpture', recognised by flowing lines inspired by nature and first shown on the ix-onic concept car at the 2009 Geneva show.

Since then the philosophy has been the design inspiration behind new Hyundai models like the ix35, ix20 and Veloster.

Hyundai's chief designer for Europe, Thomas Burkle, said: "We wanted to move away from the typical three-box saloon and create a car that was in keeping with the sporty nature of the i40 tourer.

"By sculpting a low, elongated roof line, we've given the i40 saloon a striking coupe-like silhouette."

Cars will be available with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, covering a power spread of 115PS to 177PS, and both manual and automatic transmissions. Most popular is expected to be the 136PS 1.7-litre diesel unit which should appeal to both private buyers and the fleets.

Hyundai's new 2.0-litre GDI petrol engine makes its debut in the i40 with 177PS and the promise of a 0-62mph acceleration time of 9.7 seconds, average fuel economy of 41.5mpg and a CO rating of 159g/km.

There will also be an eco Blue Drive model boasting Intelligent Stop & Go, low rolling-resistance tyres and an alternator management system.

In tandem with the 115PS diesel engine, the inclusion of Blue Drive technology results in the i40 achieving CO emissions and fuel economy figures of 113 g/km and 65.7 mpg.

High-tech features include smart-parking assist and lane departure warning system, as well as connectivity items like Bluetooth with voice recognition and full map navigation with rear view camera.

Comfort and convenience measures include an electric parking brake, front air ventilation seats, heated and reclining rear seats as well as new features for the segment like an auto-defog system and a heated steering wheel.

Day-time running lights will be standard and every i40 in the UK will be fitted with seven airbags.