9 new Hyundai cars & SUVs for India REVEALED; From next-gen Santro to Vitara Brezza-challenger

Hyundai will invest a whopping 1 billion US dollars in India, for new products, factory expansion and a new office in Gurgaon. The massive fund infusion will see Hyundai launching 9 new cars and SUVs in the Indian market. Of these, 4 will be all-new models, 3 will be facelifts and 2 will EVs. Here’s the lowdown. All these cars will be launched in the next 3 years, before the end of 2020.

All-new Hyundai cars & SUVs

Santro

The all-new Santro (codenamed the AH2) will be launched in India during Diwali 2018. The car is expected to be shown as a concept at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo. It’ll be powered by a 1.1 liter-3 cylinder petrol engine with a petrol-CNG dual fuel option for specific markets. 5 speed manual and AMT options will be on offer. It’ll be wider and larger than the i10, which it aims to replace. The new Santro will be priced between Rs. 3-4 lakhs. It’ll take on the Renault Kwid and the Maruti Alto range.

QXi code-named Vitara Brezza challenger

The QXi code-named sub-4 meter SUV will be launched next year, as Hyundai’s first such offering in this segment. It’ll compete with the Maruti Vitara Brezza, the Ford EcoSport and the Tata Nexon. Turbocharged petrol and diesel engine options will be on offer. Other key details remain unknown for now except that the SUV will have a butch design, and will be based on the Carlino concept that Hyundai showcased at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo.

Facelifts

i20 Elite Facelift

Hyundai’s been testing the i20 Facelift on Indian roads for a while now, and the car is expected to be launched at the 2018 Auto Expo. Mechanically, it’ll get a major change in the form of a 1.2 liter Kappa petrol engine-CVT automayic gearbox combination. The 1.4 liter petrol-automatic option will be dropped while the diesel engine and manual gearbox combination will continue unchanged. The car is expected to get new features on the inside and a big makeover on the outside.

Creta Facelift

The facelifted Creta has also been spotted testing on Indian roads. However, this facelift will come in during the second half of the year. India’s best selling compact SUV will get a style makeover on the outside and new features on the inside. It could also see a mild upward revision of prices for certain variants. Mechanically, it’s likely to be unchanged, with petrol and turbo diesel engines, manual and automatic transmissions, being carried over from the outgoing model.

Electric Vehicle

Kona Electric SUV

The Kona SUV’s electric variant was first shown at a Motor Show last year as a concept. The production version of the electric SUV will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. It’ll be imported to India through the CKD kit route, and could be priced close to Rs. 20 lakhs. The Kona Electric is expected to use rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and could have a range as high as 384 kilometers per charge. The Kona electric concept could also be shown at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo although the Indian will happen only in 2019.

Full model changes of existing Hyundai cars

Hyundai’s existing line-up of cars will get full model changes by 2020. The Grand i10, Xcent, Elantra and Tucson are all due for full-model changes, where brand new versions will replace current models. All four cars are expected to get extensive stylistic changes and mechanical upgrades. More features will be likely, and the cars are also expected to become more fuel efficient and safer. They’re also likely to be designed with hybrid and electric futures in mind. Exact details remain sketchy for now, and more clarity is likely by the end of this year. In terms of pricing and positioning, the all-new models of these cars are likely to remain at current levels.