Hyundai shelves MPV plans; impetus on compact SUV

Hyundai’s long-found interest in MPVs remains no secret. But, while everyone expected them to showcase a new car from this segment at the 2016 Auto Expo in Delhi earlier this year, they chose not to oblige. And now reports claim that the Korean carmaker has altogether shelved plans of launching a MPV; however, a new compact SUV could be ready to go into production soon.

At its pavilions in the 2016 Auto Expo, Hyundai surprised enthusiasts with the Carlino (HND-14) concept. And the new compact SUV, to which focus has been shifted, will be based on the same sub-4 meter concept. Given the immediate success of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, the strategy after all does seem to make sense.

As we had reported during the 2016 Auto Expo, the Carlino (or HNB14) slots in between two of Hyundai’s more popular SUV offerings – the smaller Hyundai i20 Active crossover and the Hyundai Creta compact SUV.

The concept featured a rather sporty and stout design with a large glasshouse. The absence of B-pillars, lack of decals - uncharacteristic of Hyundai – and the overall design speaks of a futuristic approach from the Korean carmaker.

While Hyundai remained tight-lipped about the mechanical details of this car, it could share 1.2-litre/1.3-litre engines with other offerings from the Hyundai family such as the i20 Active and Creta.