Hyundai has recently launched the new generation Verna mid-sized sedan in the country. The new model brings many first features and engine-gearbox combination, which will also be offered on future Hyundai cars. Hyundai will also launch a new sub-compact SUV, internally codenamed Ai3 before the end of this year.
Hyundai Ai3 Launch Details
If reports are to be believed, the new Hyundai Ai3 small SUV will be launched by mid-2023 – most probably in August 2023. However, Hyundai is yet to make an official announcement on the same. To be positioned between the Grand i10 and the Venue, the new Hyundai Ai3 Small SUV will rival the Tata Punch, Nissan Magnite and the Renault Kiger.
Expected Engine Options
The new Hyundai Ai3 micro SUV will be designed and developed on the K1 platform, which underpins the Grand i10 Nios and the Casper small SUV on sale in select international markets. The new model will receive the 1.2-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine that produces 81bhp and 114Nm of torque. The company could also offer a CNG version of the micro SUV. Both manual and AMT gearbox options will be on offer.
The new Hyundai micro SUV is also likely to get a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that powers the Venue, i20 and the Kia Sonet. This engine is already heavily localised to power the compact cars from Hyundai and Kia. In the current form, the T-GDi engine is capable of producing 120PS and 175Nm of torque. This engine was also offered with the pre-facelift Grand i10, which offers 100PS of power.
Hyundai Ai3 Key Details
The new Hyundai Ai3 small SUV is based on the K1 platform, which was introduced in 2028 with the second-gen Hyundai Santro. This platform offers two different wheelbase options – 2,400mm and 2,450mm. It is expected that the small SUV will ride on 2,450mm of wheelbase. The small SUV looks significantly different from the Hyundai Casper. The spy images reveal that the Ai3 will have design similarities with the Venue compact SUV.
The new Hyundai Ai3 will come with a signature Hyundai grille, projector headlamps, LED DRLs, a rectangular-shaped headlamp unit and H-shaped tail-lamps, and shark fin antenna. The new micro SUV will measure around 3.8 meters in length, which is longer than the Casper (3.6 meters long).
Not just platform and engine options, the new Hyundai Ai3 small SUV will share the cabin and features with the Grand i10 Nios. It will come equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay support, an electric sunroof, multi-functional steering wheel, automatic AC, reverse parking camera, 6 airbags and others.
Source – AutoCarIndia
