Billed as a “a rugged compact crossover for customers with active lifestyles”, the model will join the carmaker’s existing Tucson, Santa Fe and Grand Santa Fe SUVs.

“With the introduction of New i20 Active we further diversify our offering in the B-segment with an attractive crossover model,” said Thomas Schmid, chief operating officer at Hyundai Motor Europe. “In 2015 our entire crossover and SUV line-up has been renewed, as part of our youngest ever model range in Europe. And with the introduction of our 1.0-litre turbocharged engine, we further enhance our customer proposition in the European B-Segment.”

Although the i20 Active is based on the i20 five-door, Hyundai noted that over 50% of the exterior parts  are unique to this model. Stand-out features include revised suspension settings that raise the model 20mm along with a higher seating position.

Styling brings bespoke front and rear bumpers with integrated skid plates, round fog lamps front and rear, with an exclusive rear spoiler, side skirts and side cladding plus robust wheel-arch mouldings and silver roof rails.

The new model also marks the launch of a new Kappa three-cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDI engine to the i20 family, marking the first of a new generation of newly-developed small, turbocharged power plants tuned for Europe. The unit is available in two power outputs – 100hp and 120hp – and brings official combined fuel economy of 4.6l/100km with CO2 emissions from 106g/km.

In mainland Europe, the i20 Active will also be available with a 100hp 1.4-litre Kappa petrol engine and the 90hp 1.4-litre U II diesel engine also available in the i20 five-door and i20 Coupe. All models are front-wheel drive only.

Connectivity solutions see TomTom LIVE Services available across the i20 range from early 2016 onwards.

The i20 Active will be produced alongside the i20 family at Hyundai Assan Otomotiv Sanayi (HAOS) plant in Izmit, Turkey.