Hyundai Motor Company, India’s second largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, is planning to expand its Indian product portfolio with a range of new models. The company might launch three all-new products in 2021 including a compact MPV, a mini SUV (Hyundai AX1) and 7-seater Creta SUV. Talking about the micro SUV, the AX1 (codename) will be the smallest and most affordable offering from the South Korean carmaker in the country. The model is curriently in its testing phase and is reported to debut in the first half of 2021.
The spy pictures reveal that the Hyundai AX1 mini SUV will share its design bits with the Venue subcompact SUV. Though, it will be compact and have taller stance. The mini SUV’s interior is likely to be share resemblance with the Santro and Grand i10 Nios. It might be built on K1 platform and could be offered with the 1.2L naturally-aspirated petrol and 1.1L engine options. Both manual and AMT gearboxes are likely to be on offer.
Hyundai Creta 7-seater SUV will be one of the major new car launches of the next year. Slated to launch in the H2, 2021, Hyundai’s bigger SUV will be positioned against the upcoming Tata Gravitas and new-generation Mahindra XUV500. Most of its design elements, features and components will be carried forward from the 5-seater Creta. Though, the carmaker will make a few cosmetic changes and offer some extra features.
Compared to its younger sibling, the 7-seat Creta will be longer and have more cabin space with an additional third row of seats. Engine setup will also be borrowed from the 5-seater Creta. Hyundai’s bigger SUV will come with 1.4L turbo petrol (140bhp), 1.5L naturally-aspirated petrol (115bhp), and 1.5L turbo diesel (115bhp) engine options.
The South Korean carmaker will also foray into the compact MPV space sometime next year. Reports suggest that new Hyundai MPV could be named ‘Staria’. In India, it will challenge the dominance of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. The model might share its underpinning with the Venue subcompact SUV or Creta 7-seater SUV. It could be offered with powertrains – a 1.5L petrol (113bhp/145Nm) and a 1.5L diesel (113bhp/250Nm). Transmission choices are likely to include manual and automatic units.
