HYUNDAI'S stylish new i40 Tourer model will cost from £18,395 and have the lowest insurance group rating in its class when it hits the streets in September.

The estate also boasts the lowest Benefit-in-Kind cost in its section of the market, making it an attractive alternative to company car drivers, and will come in three trim levels - Active, Style and Premium.

Engine choices comprise a pair of petrol models - 1.6 and 2.0 GDi - and two 1.7-litre CRDi diesels producing 115 or 136PS.

Hyundai's fuel-saving Blue Drive technologies, which include Intelligent Stop & Go, are fitted as standard on all three Active derivatives and on the Style 1.7 CRDi 136PS Blue Drive model. That means emissions from as low as 113g/km on the 115PS diesel version.  

Standard on every car are features like 16-inch alloys, Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, leather steering wheel with audio controls, electric heated door mirrors with integrated LED indicators, electric front and rear windows and electric parking brake with automatic hold function.

Touchscreen sat-nav with rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control and dual zone climate control are standard on the mid-point Style range while Premium models get leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof and keyless entry plus options like Lane Departure Warning, Smart Parking Assist, heated leather steering wheel and ventilated front seats.

Designed in Germany and styled especially for the European market, the i40 Tourer will be joined by a four-door saloon later this year, prices for which have yet to be announced.

Hyundai's UK chief Tony Whitehorn said: "The all-new i40 Tourer is a stylish yet uncompromised addition to the medium family estate car market.

"It offers exceptionally low CO emissions and high fuel economy combined with an unparalleled level of standard equipment for its class - all at an accessible price. It is a sign of how far Hyundai has come in recent years."

Prices range from £18,395 for the 1.6 GDi Blue Drive Active petrol manual model to £25,895 for the 1.7 CRDi 136PS Premium automatic. Insurance ratings are from 12E (1.7 CRDi 115PS Blue Drive Active) to 18E (2.0 GDi Premium).