South Korean auto maker Hyundai will launch its compact SUV next year in the Indian car market. This is revealed by the Mr. Rakesh Srivastava, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Hyundai Motor India limited. The company is also contemplating the premium i30 hatchback for the country which will sit above the i20 hatchback. The Hyundai i20 is also due for makeover, and the new generation model will make its debut in the country by festive season.
With the growing demand for compact SUVs in the country, car manufacturers are eyeing this segment to improve their market share. Now, it is confirmed that Hyundai will launch the compact SUV next year; however, the company is yet to announce the model to come India. Will it be the ix25 SUV or the Grand i10 based sub-4 metre SUV?
Hyundai unveiled the ix25 compact SUV at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show, which is said to make its debut in the Indian car market as well. The vehicle will first go on sale in China in October, this year. However, we believe that Hyundai will launch a sub-4 metre SUV based on the versatile Grand i10 hatchback which also underpins a compact sedan, Xcent. The Hyundai ix25 measures 4.27 metre in length which would compete against the likes of Duster and Terrano. A compact SUV on Grand i10 hatchback will be eligible to enjoy the excise duty benefits on sub-4 metre car and an engine with displacement less than 1.5-litre.
The Hyundai ix25 follows the company’s evolved Fluidic design philosophy which shares its design cues with the bigger Hyundai SUVs including new Santa Fe. If the ix25 SUV to come India, it would share its engine lineup with the i20 and Verna.
Source: FE
