Korean automaker, Hyundai is planning to expand its product portfolio in the Indian market in the next 1 year. The company plans to introduce electric cars along with a new 7-seater MPV in 2022. Its Korean sibling, Kia is also readying multiple EVs and a new 7-seater utility vehicle for the Indian market.
1. Hyundai Kona Facelift
The company will launch the facelifted version of the Kona EV in India in early 2022. It is already introduced in select international markets. The SUV gets updated exterior and interior along with new mechanical changes. In terms of design changes, the Kona facelift gets a revised front fascia with a new new closed grille with clean design and new LED daytime running lights, newly-styled sharper headlamps with high-tech inner bezel that incorporates multifaceted reflector (MFR) technology. Other design changes include new vertical air-inlets in front of wheel arch claddings, revised lower bumper with new air-intake, revised rear bumper, new horizontally-stretched rear lamps, etc.
The new model is 40mm longer than the previous model. Inside the cabin, the SUV now has a larger 10.25-inch digital instrument console and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity and Hyundai Bluelink connected car solutions. The new Kona EV customers can also use the new Bluelink upgrade. The app displays the vehicle’s range and battery state, as well as charging times. Thanks to Remote Charging, new Kona Electric drivers can start and stop charging at the push of a button on their smartphone via the Bluelink® app. It also gets Remote Climate Control.
The Hyundai Kona EV facelift is offered with two different battery packs – 64kWH and 39.2kWh offering 204PS/395Nm and 136PS/395Nm. While the former is claimed to offer 484km range, the later offers a range of up to 305kms. The SUV comes with shift-by-wire system that enables operation of the car simply by pressing buttons to switch driving modes. It has smart adjustable regenerative braking system. The battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 47 minutes using a 100 kW DC fast charger.
2. Hyundai 7-Seater MPV
It is reported that Hyundai will bring a new 7-seater MPV in the country in 2022. The new model will be positioned between the Maruti Ertiga and the Toyota Innova Crysta. Rumoured to be called the Stargazer, the new MPV has been spotted testing in Korea as well as in Indonesi. The report claims that the Hyundai Stargazer will be produced at the Hyundai’s production facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This facility will also act as an export hub to several markets.
The new model is reportedly to measure around 4.5 meters in length, making it longer than the Creta. We believe that the new model could sit on Alcazar’s wheelbase that is 2,760mm, around 150mm more than that of the Creta. The new Hyundai Stargazer is expected to be offered with 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options. While the former is good for 113bhp and 145Nm of torque, the turbo-diesel engine produces 113bhp and 250Nm of torque. Both manual and automatic gearbox options are likely to be on offer.
3. Hyundai IONIQ 5
HYundai will bring the IONIQ 5 electric SUV as a CBU model in India in 2022. The company had showcased the Ioniq 5 electric crossover and the NEXO fuel-cell electric vehicle at the inaugural event of Hyundai’s corporate headquarter at Gurugram. The Ioniq 5 is built on Hyundai’s dedicated BEV architecture called Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). This platform will also underpins the upcoming Ioniq 6 sedan and the Ioniq 7 SUV.
In the global markets, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is offered with two battery sizes – 72.6kWh and 58kWh. Both comes with rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive layouts. The 72.6kWh battery version is claimed to offer a maximum range of around 470-480kms. It supports 800V battery technology, which gives ultra-rapid charging. The Ioniq 5 is compatible with up to 220kW DC charging, which allows the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes.
The top-spec Hyundai Ioniq 5 crossover features a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive layout that offers a combined power of 306bhp and a peak torque of 605Nm. The crossover is claimed to achieve 0-100kmph in just 5.2 seconds before hitting a top speed of 185kmph. The entry-level variant with 58kWh battery has a 169bhp, single motor. This rear-wheel-drive model accelerates to 100kmph from zero in just 8.5 seconds.
