Hyundai planning to launch new hatchback in India

Hyundai India sees good potential in the premium hatchback segment of India. And rightly so, since high-end small car models like the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A- and B-Class have been well accepted in our country.

The Indian car market is dominated by hatchbacks, which consists of about 68 per cent of the total market share. Currently, Hyundai has five small cars in its Indian line-up which include Hyundai Santro, Hyundai Eon, Hyundai i10, Hyundai i10 Grand and the Hyundai i20. It is reported now, that the Korean car manufacturer is in advance stage of developing a new hatchback for India, which will be positioned above the Hyundai i20.

According to reports, this new model is Hyundai India’s most spacious and premium hatchback offering. India’s second-largest car manufacturer is hoping to cash on the country’s growing professionals and executive class who have large disposable income, and are seeking for cars that offer luxurious interiors and generous space like a mid-size sedan, but still be compact enough to be useable in congested urban environment.

The new Hyundai premium hatchback will be powered with the 84PS, 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine and the diesel option would be the 1.1 U2 CRDi motor seen on the Grand i10. Both these motors will come mated with 5-speed manual, and the petrol engine will also have the option of the 4-speed automatic transmission.

Though rumour is abuzz that Hyundai’s new premium hatchback could be the Hyundai i30 which is sold globally, the company is still to coin a nomenclature for the new model. The car is expected to be priced between Rs 7 lakh to Rs 9 lakh, and is scheduled to be launched in India around September this year.