Hyundai ix25 compact SUV images leaked

The forthcoming Beijing motor show has international motoring journalists in hyperactive mode. The latest are these first leaked ‘official’ images of the new Hyundai ix25 SUV posted by an Italian blog. Going by the image, the new Hyundai compact-SUV has strong traces of its elder sibling - the ix35. The Hyundai ix25 feature sweptback headlights, aggressive front air-intakes which house a pair of fog lamps, chunky front sump guard and roof rails to complete the rugged SUV stance. The only visible difference from the ix35 seems to be that the Hyundai ix25 does not sport a split front grille like its elder sibling, but a chromed hexagonal one following the company’s new design language. The overall design of the Hyundai ix25 looks robust, and the Korean compact SUV seems prepared to take on its international rivals like the Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster.

The Hyundai ix25 is based on the new platform that underpins the next generation i20 hatchback and will be built in China under the BAIC-and-Hyundai joint venture. We suspect that the ix25 will use Hyundai’s international range of engines including a 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol motors and in diesel would come with a 1.4-litre turbodiesel unit.

The official unveiling of the Hyundai ix25 is scheduled on April 20th, and sales will commence soon in China. Though we would like to see this compact-SUV on Indian roads, it unlikely that Hyundai will launch the ix25 in India, as it would have to introduce the all-new platform. However, it is highly possible that the Korean automobile major is developing a new SUV model using the Grand i10 platform specifically for markets like India.