Mario So Funny

FRANKFURT, Germany — A version of the next-generation Hyundai i30 compact, which makes its world debut in September at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, could be sold in the U.S. next year as part of the Elantra family.

The Hyundai i30 derivative could replace the Elantra Touring model in the U.S.

Hyundai released the first sketch of the redesigned i30 hatchback on Wednesday, but did not release any technical details. Industry watchers expect a new i30 wagon could follow next year.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a version of the i30 sometime next year in the U.S. market,” said Miles Johnson, a Hyundai Motor America spokesman, in a phone conversation with Inside Line.

Johnson said he was unable to confirm which model of the i30 might be sold here, if that vehicle would be the next Elantra Touring or what it would be called.

The i30 and the Elantra share common underpinnings.

In the U.S., the 2012 Elantra Touring is based on the original i30 wagon.

The new i30 was designed and engineered at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center in Germany and uses the Korean brand’s “fluidic sculpture” design language. Hyundai said in a statement that it is inspired by the recently unveiled Hyundai i40, a version of the midsize Sonata.

The new i30 gets the hexagonal-shaped grille that’s part of the new “face” of Hyundai and is also used on the 2012 Elantra.

“The hexagonal appearance is unique to Hyundai, with the jewel-like front headlamps which flank the grille adding a strong personality to the vehicle, said Thomas Burkle, chief designer for Hyundai Motor Europe in a statement.

He added: “The car is very close to the recently unveiled i40, and we want people to recognize the Hyundai design DNA on those two models.”

Inside Line says: The Hyundai Elantra Touring showed up a short time after the Elantra’s debut here, so Hyundai seems to be following its playbook to the letter.