Hyundai India likely to launch a Grand i10 diesel automatic

The Hyundai Grand i10 hatchback’s automatic variants are due to be launched in the next few weeks. While the petrol-engined variant of the Grand i10 getting a 4 speed automatic gearbox is a given, Hyundai India might spring off a major surprise with a diesel automatic version of the B+ segment hatchback. If launched later this year, the diesel automatic version of the Hyundai Grand i10 will be the first such car in the Indian car market to be positioned in the sub- Rs. 10 lakh space.

For long, Indian car makers have been partial towards petrol-engined automatic cars in the budget segments and the Hyundai Grand i10’s diesel automatic variant could be the first breakaway model. The main reason as to why car makers in India don’t favour automatic gearboxes in diesel powered hatchbacks has to do with the pricing. Adding an automatic gearbox to a diesel engined hatchback will push up the asking price to a level that might seem unaffordable to the car buyer. This could in turn result in poor sales. Also see: Hyundai Grand i10 1.1 compared with rivals

To avoid such a situation, car makers in India have studiously avoided offering a diesel automatic option on budget hatchbacks. With the Hyundai Grand i10’s diesel automatic variant likely to break new ground, expect other car makers to sit up and take notice. If the Grand i10’s diesel automatic variant finds enough takers, it could prompt other big players in the Indian budget hatchback space to equip their diesel cars with automatic gearboxes. A diesel automatic hatchback could offer three major advantages: a compact size, frugality and convenience. Also read: Hyundai Grand i1o 1.1 diesel road test: a perfect package

The Hyundai Grand i10 is sold with two engine options: A 1.2 liter Kappa engine with 82 PS-113 Nm and a 1.1 liter turbo diesel engine with 71 PS-160 Nm. Both these engines get a five speed manual gearbox as standard. The car has been a big success for Hyundai India with the South Korean car maker receiving over 15,000 bookings in less than two months of its launch. The Hyundai Grand i10 is an India-specific car model that sits between the i10 and i20 hatchbacks.

Source: BS Motoring Facebook page