All-new Hyundai Santro: 10 things you need to know about

The upcoming new Hyundai Santro has created a buzz in the affordable hatchback category. After an online poll for choosing the name of its new car, the company will finally launch the car on October 23, 2018. That’s a good 20 years after the original Santro stirred up the market back in 1998. With the launch just around the corner, here are 10 things you ought to know about the upcoming car.

Return of the Santro Name

The original Santro was an iconic car. The name itself has great brand value and Hyundai wants to cash in on that. To do just this, the automaker has named the new car Santro, though it was chosen in an online poll. However, the new name will have a suffix added to it, like in the case of the old Santro Xing.

India will be the first market for the new car

Hyundai will launch the new Santro first in India, which is one of its biggest market. The upcoming hatchback is expected to go on sale in other South Asian countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka, but only after the India launch. The initial response and success of the hatchback will help shape Hyundai’s future plans for the entry-level segment here.

Tall-Boy Design

The original Santro created a new segment of tall-boy design cars in India. It became a familiar sight on Indian roads and the segment became very popular. The new car will remain true to its design roots and feature the tall-boy design language. However, it will also incorporate Hyundai’s current Fluidic 2.0 design philosophy, which means that the new car will share styling cues from the i10 and i20.

Will use the old i10 platform

The new car will be made on the same platform, which underpinned the older i10. However, the design and components will be all new. Also, the new car will be larger in size compared to the old i10, according to our sources.

Updated 1.1-litre engine and a CNG variant

The new Hyundai Santro will be powered by the same engine that was powered the older i10 and previous-gen Santro. The 1.1-litre four-cylinder Epsilon engine, however, will be updated to meet the upcoming BS VI emission norms, which go into effect in 2020. Also, Hyundai plans to introduce a CNG-powered variant of the car which that take on the the Maruti Suzuki Celerio CNG.

AMT 

The new Santro will be the first car from the Korean manufacturer’s stable to be offered with an AMT gearbox. The new AMT gearbox is expected to bear the ‘Smart Drive’ system. All other Hyundai models of yet with automatic option use a regular torque converter.

Feature-rich dual-tone interiors

The new Santro will feature a plush cabin with respect to the segment. One of the features that stands out in the new car will be a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system (on higher variants), along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The cabin will sport a dual-tone beige and black interiors. The upholstery will be in beige with the dash, steering wheel and gear lever in black. Another segment-first feature will be rear AC vents.

Will meet new BNVSAP safety norms

The new Santro will comply with the new Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP) for vehicle safety. It will come with dual Airbags and ABS as standard across the whole range. Also, expect Hyundai to make rear parking sensors as standard across the range. Higher-spec variants of the car will also come with a parking camera, which is again a segment-first feature.

Will replace the Eon

Upon its launching on October 23^rd, the new Santro will replace the Hyundai Eon. The current entry level offering from Hyundai does not meet the upcoming emission and safety norms. Therefore, it will be phased out a few months after the new hatchback hits the roads.

Launch date

To maximise sales, Hyundai will bring in the new Santro during the festive season in October. The exact date of the car’s launch is October 23^rd, 2018. This was the same date when the original Santro was launched in India. Bookings will open from 9th October.