Upcoming cars from Hyundai for 2013

Hyundai is planning to launch some interesting models in the India market soon. Here we take a look at upcoming cars from Hyundai’s stable that are slated to launch in India in the coming year.

Hyundai Sonata diesel: Will ride on power

Expected launch: 2013

Expected price: Rs.20 lakh to Rs.22 lakh

Hyundai has already launched the petrol version of the Sonata in India. The Sonata is available in two variants in India, priced at Rs. 18.6 lakh and Rs. 20.5 lakh. Also read: Hyundai Sonata petrol: Video review

Hyundai has already started testing the diesel Sonata at their Chennai facility and the car has been spotted wearing a CRDi badge. The The diesel Sonata is likely to have the 2.2 litre diesel engine. This is the same engine that powers the present Santa Fe SUV and churns out 197 bhp of power and 436 Nm of torque.If that happens, then sonata would be the most powerful car in segment.

It is likely be priced between Rs.21 lakh to Rs. 23 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Hyundai Sonata petrol is powered by a 2.4-litre GDI (Gasoline direct Injection) petrol motor with Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-VTVT).  The engine puts out 198 bhp (201 PS) of power and 250 Nm of torque.

Hyundai i10 diesel: Will kick start the era of mini diesels

Expected launch: 2013

Expected price: Rs. 4.60 lakh onwards

The brand’s volume driver the Hyundai i10 is also going to get a diesel heart. Hyundai is planning to launch the i10 with a 1.1 litre diesel engine and will be price the diesel variants roughly Rs. 90,000 more than their petrol counterparts.

The diesel i10 is expected to come with a five-speed transmission and will compete with cars like the Chevrolet Beat diesel. This 1.1 litre four-cylinder diesel engine is under development in Korea and will be the smallest diesel in Hyundai’s line up. Also read: Upcoming small diesel cars to launch in 2013

Hyundai is also working on a new engine plant to build diesel engines in India. At the moment, Hyundai India imports its diesel engines and transmissions from Korea and uses them for the i20, Verna and Elantra. By localizing production of its diesel engines, the company will bring down cost of spares for the Hyundai i20 and Verna as well. The Hyundai i10 diesel will likely add more volumes to Hyundai’s sales, as the demand for diesel cars continues to rise.

Hyundai Santa Fe: Will get the Fluidic treatment

Expected launch: 2013

Expected price: Rs.24 lakh-Rs.26 lakh

Hyundai also plans to launch a new Santa Fe in India in the first half of 2013. The Santa Fe will then get Hyundai’s fluidic design language like the i10, Verna and Sonata. The new Santa Fe will have drastic changes in terms of design and will also get a new engine.

The new Santa Fe will get peripheral cladding, larger wheel arches and a bold front grille. It will also be 244 mm longer and will have a 99 mm larger wheel base than the outgoing Santa Fe making it more spacious as well. The new Santa Fe will likely be powered by a 2.2-litre diesel motor that makes 221 bhp of peak power and 500 Nm of torque making it more powerful than the current model. In terms of features it will include a Flex Steer system that lets the driver switch between normal, comfort or sport modes for the steering wheel. It will also get features like ESP, downhill brake control, vehicle stability management and hill assist.

The Santa Fe can be expected in both2WD and 4WD variants in both manual and automatic options. The new Santa Fe is offered in 5 and 7 seater options which are the short wheel base and long wheel base versions. Hyundai will most probably launch only the long wheel base version with seven seats in India. In terms of price it will be more expensive than the present model which costs between Rs. 22.34 lakh – Rs. 25.37 lakh. The new Santa Fe will face stiff competition from the likes of Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour etc. Also read: New Hyundai Santa Fe spy photos