Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS: New TVC out

Hyundai India has just begun producing the 3rd generation i10 from its Sriperumbudur factory, off Chennai. Called the Grand i10 NIOS, the new hatchback will co-exist with the Grand i10, which is expected to get cheaper. Even as Hyundai prepares to launch the Grand i10 NIOS in India on the 20th of August, the automaker has released a new TVC. As the TVC indicates, the Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS is squarely aimed at younger car buyers – millenials (born after 1984). What this also indicates is that the car will be competitively priced, making it quite affordable for a vast majority of car buyers in India. We expect prices of the Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS to be similar to the last-generation Grand i10. The new car will rival the likes of the Maruti Swift and the Ford Figo in the B-Segment hatchback space. Bookings are already open and deliveries will commence from the day of launch.

While the Grand i10 NIOS looks different from the Grand i10 thanks to fresh styling and the new front grille that’s now common on newer Hyundai cars, it shares its platform the old Grand i10. What this means is, it’ll continue to operate with the Grand i10’s 1.2 liter petrol and diesel engines. Both engines are likely to be BS6 (Bharat Stage 6 ) emission norms compliant right from launch.

While the BS4 versions of the 1.2 liter petrol and turbo diesel engines make 82 Bhp-114 Nm and 74 Bhp-190 Nm, exact outputs of the BS6 engines will be revealed shortly. What we do know is that these engines will continue to operate with 5 speed manual gearboxes, and 5 speed automated manual options are also likely to be offered. The Grand i10 NIOS is all set to become the second Hyundai car to get an AMT option after the Santro, which was launched last year. Hyundai calls its AMTs ‘Smart Auto’.

The Grand i10 NIOS will be the last major launch from Hyundai in 2019. The car’s launch comes at the commencement of India’s festive season, and is meant to bring in big numbers for Hyundai. Hyundai, like most other car makers in India, has been hit by a sales slowdown. However, the launch of the Santro and Venue, and their corresponding successes, has placed Hyundai in a much better position than most other automakers including industry leader Maruti Suzuki. The South Korean automaker’s sales slowdown hasn’t been as intense as its rivals. The launch of the Grand i10 NIOS could further put pressure on the Maruti Suzuki Swift. Making the older Grand i10 cheaper and repositioning it lower in the segment is also expected to bring in decent numbers. Overall, Hyundai seems to be planning a two pronged attack at the Maruti Swift, and could just push down the Swift to second place.