Hyundai will launch the refreshed i20 and the hatchback is doing its final rounds of testing before the company launches it in 2012. In June Hyundai launched the Accent hatchback in the United States based on the Fludic design.
Thanks to IAB reader Sharav Venkatesh from Chennai who caught a speeding i20 facelift which had slight camouflage at the front and rear doing rounds near Sriperumbudur where Hyundai’s manufacturing facility is located.
Hyundai may launch the i10 facelift early 2012. The i20 which is third largest selling hatchback is facing some tough competition from the new Maruti Swift, VW Polo, Ford Figo, Nissan Micra and Toyota Etios. The company will face further competition when Renault launches its new Pulse which is based on the same Micra platform.
The India UV maker Mahindra is also gearing to launch the mini Xylo which and Ford will launch the EcoSport mini SUV. There are a lot of new launches in the under 4 metre hatchback segment.
The i20 will not get any mechanical changes under the hood and will be powered by the same 1.2 & 1.4 kappa petrol engines and 1.4 diesel engine. We hope Hyundai does give more power to the 1.2 engine which is quite sluggish for a car of its size. In the last minor facelift the i20 was launched in new variants with the Era model starting at under 4.6 lakhs (ex-showroom).
Hyundai may up the prices slightly by around 15-20k from the current price range.
Hyundai which is now the second largest player in India recently launched the new Eon small car. The company will also launch the new Sonata and Elantra sedans in 2012.
Image Source: IAB
