Indian Autos blog

The recently unveiled i20 in the Indian market will soon be launched in Europe. The latest global commercial is truly making a statement about the i20 and its features with a lot of emphasis on the Hyundai brand.

The 32 sec video has been smartly directed and all the new features of the car have been shown clearly,which is very unlike the commercial we have in India – that portrays an Indian gentleman who dreams big and spends lavishly on a car – and fails to mention about the new features!

Hyundai’s made a slow start with the marketing activities of the i20 facelift. The B+ Segment is the hottest playground at this time and the i20 is second only to the Swift.

Hyundai preferred not to conduct a launch for this model. It sent out a press release and updated its website with photographs and technical specs. We thought that was weird for a company that’s is in the best position to go in for the kill.

We’re not aware of a print campaign for the new i20. If we are wrong, please correct us with the details in the comment box below.

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Is this what you’d call a bolt out of the blue? Hardly a day has passed since we showed you images of the Hyundai i20 facelift from a dealer yard and here comes Hyundai with the prices and details of the i20 facelift, dubbed i-Gen Hyundai i20. Hyundai sent out an email containing details and studio shots of the car.

A Hyundai spokesman told Indian Autos Blog there was no specific reason for not conducting a press conference or a launch ceremony. He said vehicles have been dispatched to dealers across the country.

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Hyundai has released the first images and details of the i20 facelift that premieres at the Geneva Motor Show tomorrow. The following are the highlights of the new i20 which now looks very similar to senior members in its family.

• 84g/km CO2 emissions, lowest for any conventional powertrain
• Cosmetic makeover inspired by Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy
• Enhanced equipment, the details of which will be clear after its unveiling
• 1.1-litre, 3-cylinder U-II diesel engine that outputs 75PS developed at Hyundai’s Diesel Centre of Excellence in Rüsselsheim, Germany

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Through sources, Indian Autos Blog has learned today that the next generation i20, codenamed IB, is likely to be introduced by late 2014. The model will follow the next generation i10 (codename – BA) into India either in 2014 or 2015.

The next generation i20 should not be confused with the i20 facelift that’s under testing in Chennai.

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Another IAB exclusive!

If you have been tuning into IndianAutosBlog.com this year, Hyundai testing the i20 facelift in Europe is not breaking news for you. Recently our photoshop expert Shoeb R Kalania prepared a very accurate illustration of the model that was snagged when it was unloaded from a container. The makeover is to align it with other models in the Hyundai showroom that flaunt the recent edition of the distinct ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language.

Hyundai is also taking stock of developments and breakthroughs in rival camps. Maruti rolled out the all-new Swift earlier this year to a grand ovation. There are whispers of Volkswagen working on an upgrade for Polo diesel. Fiat is topping-up equipment on the Punto on 3rd of January. Meanwhile the low-price Chevrolet’s Sail is being tested by GM near Talegaon for a 2012 launch. Next year cars like the Ford EcoSport and Mahindra mini Xylo will be competition in new forms and sizes turning on the heat. With so many launches, the situation can change very fast for the quick-selling i20.

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Shortly after HMIL introduced the i10 in India, it began working on its next project – the i20. The Sriperembdur facility would manufacture the i20 for global markets and Hyundai will allocate a tiny portion of the production to India.

Meeting the demands in Europe was the biggest challenge for the Chennai factory. Both 3- and 5-door styles were produced in a wide range of trims and colors.

The hype around the i20 picked up as spy shots of mules began circulating on the internet. The i20′s predecessor Getz was a damp squib and HMIL may have been apprehensive while planning for the Indian market.

The launch was done and Hyundai was taken aback by the demand levels in the initial months. The demand continued to be strong in the following months and many saw the i20 as the best alternative to the Swift, India’s most loved hatchback. Pleasantly surprised with the demand for the 7-8 lakh rupee diesel variants, Hyundai upgraded equipment and added a 6-speed transmission that delivered more mileage.

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The Hyundai i20 made its first appearance at Paris 2008 and come December 2011, it’ll be three years old. It’s time they sent it under the surgeon’s knife to keep it focused and fight the new Swift. If you are a regular reader, you’ll recollect us asking when the i20 facelift will break cover. Looks like Hyundai heard our calls!

As we suspected, changes on the 2012 Hyundai i20 will be to make the car even with the i10 and the new Verna. The Fluidic Scupture design vocabulary will be pronounced on the facelift with new headlamps, bumpers, grille and reflectors. The wheel caps sport a new design too. Interiors will not get any more glam or glitz, Hyundai could provide a highly useful Bluetooth pairing feature instead.

We hope Hyundai considers the following points on the facelift. There’s nothing alarmingly wrong with the model, but a few improvements will make this a better car -

• Turbolag has to be minimized. The diesel engine has to be on boil (around 2k RPM) at all times for quick response. Can they bring it down by a few hundred RPMs? Can they work out a different gear ratio combination?
• The power steering needs better torque feedback. They need to bump up feel as while driving, one feels like there is a longer delay between steering and the car moving.
• Can they provide all variants with the top-end model’s steering wheel? The i10′s steering wheel for the starting variants (Era and Magna) feel inadequate. Hyundai should keep the driver controls same for all variants and cut back on equipment.
• The ride needs to be re-looked for the Indian market where road quality is poor in most places.
• NVH levels can be brought down on the diesel model. An improvement there can never lead to negative feedback.
• Can the door handles operate softly? Less effort can go into opening the doors. The operating mechanism, instead of spur gears meshing has to operate with a spring or lever like feel.

Do you have inputs Hyundai should take into consideration while making the i20 facelift?

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