Exclusive: The Hyundai i20 Will Not Debut At Auto Expo 2020

• The next-generation i20 was previously spotted testing on Indian roads.
• Likely to come with premium features like a digital instrument display and sunroof.
• Hyundai may offer up to three BS6 engines in the upcoming i20.

We had spotted the next-generation Hyundai i20 road testing earlier this month and were speculating a nearing reveal. But sources in the know have now confirmed that the third-gen i20 will not be shown at the Auto Expo 2020. We expect the car to be launched in India in mid-2020. It will likely be a comprehensive update with new BS6 engines and features like a digital driver’s display. The car is likely to be priced higher than the current-gen Elite i20, which retails from Rs 5.53 to 9.34 lakh. It will rival the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Honda Jazz, and the upcoming Tata Altroz.

The third-generation i20 will come with plenty of new design elements in a familiar silhouette. Spy shots show that the rear window quarter glass will give way to a single pane. The upcoming i20 was also spotted in Europe. You can read our story here. It exhibited features like LED taillamps, new interior trim, and a large centre infotainment screen. Although some features may not make it to India, the i20 could get a 5.3-inch digital speedometer like the Grand i10 Nios or a fully digital instrument cluster as we have seen in the spy shots. 

We expect Hyundai to equip the i20 with three BS6 options. The base petrol will likely be the BS6-compliant MPI unit that will debut in the Aura compact sedan. The i20’s diesel motor could be a detuned version of the 1.5-litre turbo engine from the Kia Seltos. In addition to the petrol and diesel motors, we also expect the i20 to come with the Hyundai Venue’s turbo petrol. It is a 1.0-litre T-GDI engine. Given that the i20 comes with a 6-speed gearbox, the turbo petrol might not be detuned like it is in the Aura.

While we will not see the third-gen i20 at Auto Expo 2020, it could be launched globally in early 2020. The premium hatchback segment is not as hot as it used to be, but it is still relevant. Tata will soon launch its entrant to this segment -- the Altroz. Currently, the Elite i20 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno lead the pack in sales numbers. 

Image Source: Korean Car Blog