The b-segment is about to get a whole lot more interesting when Hyundai finally unleash their all new Hyundai i20 hatchback in January 2009.

The European designed and Indian built supermini is the latest in a line of 'i' products from the Korean manufacturer hoping to break into new territory.

The i20 will account for 30% of all sales in 2009 and will try to establish a different position for Hyundai by moving more towards quality, comfort and style as opposed to price and budget. Hyundai will be first and foremost be looking to retain its current Getz owners as well as attracting the younger audience, especially those with young families, not familiar with the Hyundai brand.

B-segment volume was in decline since 2004, but with the introduction of the new Corsa the market bounced back in 2007 to a 3-year-high of 614k units. Hyundai's peak volume in this segment was again in 2004 when the outgoing Getz, which the i20 will replace, gained 2.2% of the market.

So it won't have escaped the Korean giants attention when Fiat, with its Grande Punto, became the 5th best selling model in the segment, overtaking the Polo. Add to that the successful launch of the Mazda 2, which gave the Japanese car maker an increase of 13% 2008 YTD, it's little wonder Hyundai want to get in on the act.

A quick glance at the facts and figures of the b-segment in 2008 reveals that 82% of the engines were petrol, 96% where hatchbacks, 50% spilt between 3 & 5dr, 94% manual gearbox with 1.2 & 1.4 units dominating the sales.

Hyundai's strategy and line up for the i20 mirrors the latest trends with two 1.2 & 1.4 petrol and two new 1.4 diesel units. The first models to be launched will be the 5 door variants with the 3 door following in April.

Following Hyundai's nomenclature will be Classic, Comfort and Style trims with prices starting at £8,195 for the 1.2 Classic 3dr upto £11,845 for the range topping 1.4 CRDi Style 5dr. Safety will be a high priorty as well as low emission output but it's here that Hyundai have missed out on a trick. Despite it's new 'Kappa' 1.2 petrol engine, recently used in the smaller Hyundai i10, achieving a magical 118 g/km CO2 it goes slightly over at a low but disapointing 123 g/km CO2. This means it misses out on the Band B £35 per year bracket which is proving popular with drivers.

Naturally the penalty of weight plays a huge part especially as the build quality on Hyundai cars these days more than matches that of any of Europe's finest. However, it's not all bad news as the new 1.4 CRDi diesel unit comes to the rescue outputting a meagre 116 & 118 g/km of CO2 and a solid Band B rating.

6 new exterior colours will be available from launch as well as air conditioning, electric windows, ABS, power steering, remote central locking and a 5 yr warranty being standard across the range. Alloys, leather trim, audio controls on the steering wheel and fog lamps all come into play as you move further up the range with ESP being the only optional extra at a very tempting £250.

All in all the Hyundai i20 will offer outstanding value and appeal but whether it can muscle its way into that lucrative b-segment only time will tell.