November 8, 2016 – Hyundai, the South Korean automaker has been testing an all-new compact SUV for the global markets. The SUV has already been spotted during its test rounds in the European markets. If media reports are to be believed, the new compact SUV could also make its way to the Indian car market as Creta’s premium cousin. The new model will be based on the i20 platform.
A report published in Economic Times suggests that Hyundai will launch 4 new SUVs in the country in the next 2 years. We all know that the Korean automaker will launch the new Tucson on November 14 while the second product will be a sub-compact SUV (Hyundai Carlino). The company is also working on the next generation Santa Fe, which is scheduled to be launched in 2018.
Blog.Naver has released a rendering of the compact SUV that is based on the Intrado concept. It was speculated that the compact SUV will be launched in the markets where the Creta SUV is not on sale. It will be positioned alongside the Hyundai Creta SUV in the company’s global SUV lineup. The vehicle is likely to be launched within the next 15 months. Also Read- Upcoming Hyundai Cars In India in 2016, 2017
The new Hyundai compact SUV is expected to share its engine lineup with the new i30. The vehicle is likely to get two petrol (1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged and 1.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol motors) and a 1.6-litre diesel engine that offers two states of tunes. Going by the renderings available on web, it is visible that the i20 SUV could take some design cues from 2014’s Intrado concept. The vehicle is likely to get a curved hexagonal grille that has recently been introduced on the new Hyundai i30 and the 2017 Hyundai Grand i10 facelift.
The new spyshots reveal new information about the design of this SUV. The front-end of the SUV features new cascading grille and a two tier headlamp setup that resembles the Citroens. The rear-end is likely to get distinctive tail-lamps with LED signature. It will come with unconventional appearance and several active and passive safety equipment. The SUV will get a new body structure and some off-road ability.
The i20 SUV is expected to be launched before the end of 2017. It will be slotted between the Creta and the Tucson SUV. Internationally, the SUV will challenge the upcoming Renault Kaptur and the Nissa Juke. The vehicle could be launched under the company’s new ‘ix’ nomenclature.
As a reminder, Hyundai is also working on an all-new sub-compact SUV for the Indian market. The company had showcased the Carlino concept, which was based on the i20 platform. If reports are to be believed, Hyundai could also use the Grand i10 platform for this sub-compact SUV. The South Korean automaker is currently busy doing final preparations for the launch of new Hyundai Tucson in the market.
Source – Autoexpress & Motor1 – ET-Auto