Launching Today: New Hyundai Verna

Update: Hyundai has launched the new Verna in India. Petrol variants are priced from Rs 7.99 lakh to Rs 12.24 lakh. Diesel variants are priced from Rs 9.19 lakh to Rs 12.40 lakh.

If you’re kicked about the new Hyundai Verna - we don’t blame you. There’s a whole lot to look forward to, and it’s not just on the surface.

The platform underpinning the new Verna is all new. Called the ‘K2’ it uses 50 per cent high strength steel in its construction in a bid to shed weight and gain rigidity. A pair of airbags and antilock brakes are standard across the range, whereas the top-spec version gets side and curtain airbags as well. 

The Verna will be offered in four trims namely E, EX, SX and SX (O), with the top-spec version getting all the bells and whistles you could ask for in this segment. This includes projector headlamps with daytime running lamps, projector fog lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels and Hyundai’s signature three-piece LED tail lamps. There’s a whole lot of kit on the inside including a sunroof, ventilated seats, a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and automatic climate control with rear AC vents.

The new Verna gets two engine options, both of which can be had with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 1.6-litre petrol dishes out 123PS and 155Nm, whereas the similarly sized diesel motor, is good for 128PS and 260Nm. We’ve had a quick spin in the diesel, check our first impressions report for more details. On a related note, we’re driving the Verna in Kochi this weekend - so stay tuned for an in-depth review.

Enough gyaan now, time to wait and watch whether the asking price makes the Hyundai sink or swim. The Maruti Ciaz and the Honda City are as unforgiving as rivals get, and then it has to fend off the Vento-Rapid duo too!