2018 Hyundai Santro (code-named AH2) hatchback engine production started at Chennai factory

New details have emerged about Hyundai’s upcoming hatchback that will be slotted between the Eon and Grand i10. The car, which is code-named with AH2 will be launched in India during the second half of 2018. It is highly likely that Hyundai will showcase it at the upcoming 2018 Indian Auto Expo.

The new details about the car are 1. Engine production for this car already commenced 6 weeks ago at Hyundai’s factory in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai. 2. It may indeed be called the Santro as people in the Hyundai factory are already refeering to it by the Santro name. 3. A test car has already hit the roads, and is said to be the new hatchback.

So far, Hyundai officials have not revealed the exact name of this hatchback although there is a big chance of the Santro badge making a comeback into the Indian market. This is because the Santro is already a household name in India. The Santro and Santro Xing were both best sellers for Hyundai in the Indian market, right from the market introduction of the original Santro in 1999. The new car is expected to offer a petrol engine with manual and AMT options. It will be the first car from Hyundai to feature an AMT.

The car is expected to challenge the Renault Kwid 1.0 and the Tata Tiago. Since Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP) will go live from next year, the new Hyundai Santro is expected to offer at least one airbag as an option. An additional airbag and ABS are safety features we look forward to although it’s unclear if Hyundai would offer them on the new AH2 code-named car. The new car is also expected to be engineered for Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms, which will come into effect from April 2020.

Via Team-BHP