After my mom bought a new Hyundai i10 - which she has yet to name, by the way - I secured a copy of the Hyundai i10 flyer, which provides information about the Hyundai i10 in the Philippines.

Hyundai i10 Models & Colors

The Hyundai i10 model available in the Philippines is the 1.1L SOHC GLS. It is available, apparently, in automatic and manual transmission variants. The Hyundai i10 is available locally in seven colors: NB Blushing Red, DE Alpine Blue, CM Deep Ocean Blue, QZ Champagne Gold, BG Stone Black, ND Sleek Silver, and ML Oyster Grey. (My mom’s is the Sleek Silver, which I personally think is woefully dull. But my mom has always liked silver. So beside her Hyundai i10, my Hyundai Getz looks positively golden!)

Hyundai i10 Engine

Both automatic and manual Hyundai i10 models have a 1086cc displacement, with a bore x stroke ratio of 67 x 77. The compression ratio of the car is 10.1. The maximum power (ps/rpm) is 66/5500, while its maximum torque (kg-m/rpm) is 1.1/2800. It has a three-liter lubricant capacity.

Hyundai i10 Transmission

Like I said earlier, the Hyundai i10 is available in manual and automatic transmissions, with a final gear ratio of 4.600 for the manual and 4.567 for the automatic. Lubricant capacity is 1.9 for the manual and 6.1 for the automatic.

Hyundai i10 Steering

The Hyundai i10 uses a motor driven power steering (MDPS) system with tilt steering. The height of the steering wheel is adjustable.

Hyundai i10 Chassis and Brakes

Both manual and automatic models boast of a MacPherson-type suspension for its front, with a tubular Torsion Beam Axle for its rear. It has a gas-type shock absorber, and a vacuum booster diameter of eight inches. Its front brake type is a 13″ disk brake; its rear brake type is a 7″ drum brake.

Hyundai i10 Dimension

The Hyundai i10 is a five-door hatchback. It is 3,565 millimeters in length and 1,595 millimeters in width. It is 1,540 millimeters in height and boasts of a 2,380-millimeter wheelbase. Its wheel treat is 1400/1385; its overhang is 655/530mm. Minimum ground clearance is 149 millimeters; its fuel tank capacity is a compact 35 liters. Curb weight is 880kg for the manual and 920 for the automatic; gross weight is 1,370kg and 1,395 kg respectively.

Hyundai i10 Exterior Features

The Hyundai i10 has foglights as a standard feature - darn you, Hyundai! We deserve foglights on our Getzes too! - along with front and rear windshield wipers. The front bumper, outside rear view mirrors and door handles match the color of the car. The radiator grille has a chrome coating. Side repeaters are clear-type (fender); the waist line moulding is black, and it comes with front and mud guards.

Hyundai i10 Safety & Security

Inexplicably, there are driver airbags in the manual transmission but none in the automatic transmission Hyundai i10. Both models come with keyless entry with burglar alarm, seatbelts, child safety rear door locks, high mount stop lamps, and covering shelf trim.

Hyundai i10 Interior/Convenience Features

The Hyundai i10 comes with:

• Sun visors
• Room lamps
• Assist grips
• Inside door handles in metal paint
• Center fascias
• Door map pockets
• Headrests (adjustable up front, fixed at the back for manuals, adjustable for automatic)
• Seats under tray for the front passenger side
• Seatback pockets
• Seat height adjusters for the driver’s side of the automatic
• Foldable rear seats
• Power windows
• Cetral Door Locks
• Digital Clocks
• Luggage Under Floor Box (automatic)
• AM/FM/CD Player (manual); AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA/Front Aux. Input + iPod Cable
• Four speakers
• Manual air-conditioning
• Rear brake light

My Hyundai Getz, Gina, and I drove by Wheels Inc along E. Rodriguez yesterday and we saw the new Hyundai i10. Methinks Gina felt a pang of jealousy; I had to reassure her that she was my car, and always will be (at least until the bank payments are through, haha).

Have you seen the Hyundai i10? It’s quite a piece of work. Wonder if the airbags’ll be standard. I doubt it.

My Philippine Hyundai Getz, Gina, may be joined by a new member of the family, if all bodes well.

My mother’s up for a new car, but she’s significantly hampered by budget. I’m trying to convince her to go for the Chery QQ, which is within her budget range and perfect for the budget-conscious woman who travels by herself. The Chery QQ is compact, fuel-efficient, and kinda cute in a girly way. Nothing like my Hyundai Getz, Gina, but it’s either that or the Suzuki Alto, and there’s a Php30,000 difference between the Alto’s MT and the QQ’s AT… in favor of the Chery.

Of course, if my mother buys that car, you can bet I’ll set up a blog for her as well. Lord knows there is NO Chery Philippines information online right now. No website, no price lists, nothing. So there’s a golden PR opportunity right there to bring tons of Chery information to a demanding public. Will we see a “Chery QQ Philippines: Life with QuyQuy” (pronounced ‘kooy kooy’) blog on GannsDeen.com in the not-so-distant future? Maybe. Meanwhile, folks at Chery Philippines, why not give this Philippines Hyundai Getz lover a call and let’s talk, because my mom is thisclose to buying a car from you.

For just a brief while, let’s digress from our favorite Philippine Hyundai Getz, and talk very briefly about my first love, the Volkswagen Beetle.

To your left, you can see what my a portion of my desk at my day job looks like. A glass frame features a photo of me and my daughter - the other side of the glass frame shows a photo of me and my son - surrounded by three lovely handpainted classic Volkswagen Beetle magnets. To the right of the frame, a Lipton Get-in-the-Zone mug plays host to four totally adorable Volkswagen New Beetle pens.

(By the way, all these Beetle merchandise can be bought on ebay.ph. Simply click here to visit the user profile of one mandygirl119 who sells Beetle-related merchandise in the Philippines. Products are all Beetle collectibles, and not that expensive; she, on the other hand, is absolutely delightful to talk to, and very easy to do business with.)

I’ve always wanted my own Volkswagen Beetle, ever since I was a little boy. There was something about this scrappy little car that spoke to me. Of course, its reputation as a car that just wouldn’t quit, made me want it even more. It’s fuel-efficient, it can drive through floods - Cathy’s ob-gyn literally drove it through one and it didn’t conk out - with ease, and it’s easy on the eyes. Come on, let’s face it, the Beetle(new or classic) is a cute car! If maintained well, the Beetle will serve you well it runs into the ground.

If one had anything upwards of PHP100,000 to spare, one could find a more-than-decent Bug for sale on Tsikot.com or even ebay.ph. As for me, well, owning my own Beetle will still have to remain a pipe dream. Meanwhile, Gina’s looking suh-weet, and with a chance to smoke her headlights looming in the not-so-distant future, I have to admit life, right now, is as good as it Getz!