So another launch in automobile industry is almost around the corner and this time it will come from Korean automaker Hyundai’s stable. It’s been just couple of days, when spy shots of Hyundai’s new SUV lookalike i20 Active Crossover went viral on the internet and now the company itself has revealed the design rendering of the upcoming car. In fact, Hyundai has also publicized the launch details of the i20 Active.
As per company statement,the all new Hyunadi i20 Active will make its way to the Indian market in March 2015 only. Built on Hyundai’s same Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, i20 Active has been designed at company’s Design Centre Europe in Russelsheim, Germany. Once launched in the country, i20 Active is going to offer fierce rivalry to Toyota Etios Cross, VW Cross Polo and Fiat Avventura in the segment.
On the design front, i20 Active will have a complete package carrying sharper, intrepid looks and masculine facade. The appearance of i20 Active flaunts an insistent profile with agile presence, said the company officials. The enhanced realism and quality, idiosyncratic character and sporty sophistication makes the car ready to offer fun driving experience to its occupants. In a bid to give rugged look to the car, Hyundai will adorn it with plastic- cladding and roof-railing.
To ensure exterior is spectacular, the car will come with new front facia with refreshed grille, projector headlamps, fog lights and day-time running lights LED. At the back, new i20 Active badge along with new bumper and spherical reflector will definitely leave no stone unturned to please your eyes. The crossover version of the hatch will also get an enlarged ground clearance and a new set of 17-inch alloy wheels. These all features will help the new car look diverse from its hatch sibling.
Though, mechanically nothing is revealed from company’s end, it is expected that Hyundai i20 Active will continue with the outgoing Elite i20 hatch’s 1.2 litre petrol engine and 1.4 litre CRDi diesel motor. If the same petrol motor is to be housed in the car, the 1.2 Dual VTVT Kappa engine will deliver 82PS power and maximum torque of 115Nm, whereas diesel engine will be a 1.4 U2 CRDi that makes peak power of 89bhp and max torque of 220Nm. As far as transmission in i20 Active is concerned, the car is likely to get the 5-speed manual transmission for petrol and 6-speed manual gearbox for diesel.
With the global debut of i20 Active in India next month, Hyundai desires to tap the 5 lac sales milestones in the country. And just recently, Hyundai India has also launched the facelift version of its quite popular Verna sedan. So these new products perhaps might fulfill company’s aspiration to attain the desired sales numbers in domestic market, said HMIL senior vice-president, sales and marketing, Rakesh Srivastava. Apart from the upcoming Crossover, Hyundai would also foray into compact SUV section that is presently being conquered by Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster. Also the company will be launching the refurbished versions of its current sedan Elantra and Sonata.
Earlier, Mr. Rakesh Srivastava also stated that Hyundai India will keep striving to hold their 40% share in the market. Previous year, the export figure was 2.01- lac that is more than economical, he added. Mr. BS SEO, HMIL Managing Director and CEO said that company is analyzing the need of new manufacturing facility and after examining, will either go ahead or hold back as per the market situation.