Indian Autos blog

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.

click through to read on

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.

click through to complete reading

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.

click through to read more

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?

click through to see more images

Left – Hyundai Arnejs (pronounced Ar-nez) concept shown at the Paris Motor Show way back in 2006. Designed at Hyundai’s European Research and Design centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the Arnejs was instrumental in building Hyundai’s strong brand identity.

Right – Hyundai i20 clocked well over 5,000 units a month even after its honeymoon period in India much to everyone’s surprise. A facelift is in order to give the new Maruti Swift some headaches and impatient customers another option.

It’s common sense to assume that Hyundai will work on a cosmetic upgrade for the i20. That’s the only model on the Indian portfolio pending for treatment. The company has given the i10 the Fluidic Sculpture touch, the Verna a full model change and the Accent a new grille. It can’t wait for too long as three new hatchbacks (Toyota Liva, Honda Brio and Renault hatchback) are arriving within the next eight months.

The best time pull out a facelift will be at the Auto Expo in Delhi next year. Crowds will flock to see the HA. Parking the i20 right next to this mass-market exhibit could bring it a lot of attention. Hyundai has used the Auto Expo to showcase cars that aren’t necessarily meant for India. They have used the show to share their vision and this creates a greater impact than bringing relevant models. Hyundai enthusiasts should push the company for Veloster coupe and new Azera at Auto Expo 2012.

click through to read more

Exploring new variants is one sure-shot way to expanding business horizons. One way to get hold of the youngster’ attention is providing him with music, features and color.

Hyundai introduces “Sound Edition” in Italy featuring items like manual air conditioning, six airbags, front fog lights and power windows windows. The music-oriented car has 15 ” alloy wheels, ORVM mounted indicators, steering-mounted audio controls, Pioneer (double DIN) stereo having radio, CD-MP3 player, touch screen, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and USB that can play songs off your iPod. The Sound edition is available with the 1.2-liter petrol engine or the 1.4-liter diesel engine.

Every now and then there is some company that is sending some driver to drive around in their car & prove how phenomenally fuel efficient their cars are. This time around it is Hyundai.

In order to show how eco-friendly their hatchback- the Hyundai i20 – is, they placed Australian Rally Champion Ed Ordynski behind the wheel of one such model and sent him on a journey from Sydney to Brisbane.

Not only did Ed reach Brisbane but he crossed it & reached further ahead to Bundaberg covering a distance of 1269 km (788 miles) on one tank of fuel achieving a figure of 28.4 kpl on the stock Hyundai i20!

Australian Rally Champion Ed Ordynski -

I originally thought Sydney to Brisbane on one tank seemed an impossible task, especially on the Pacific Highway but then the i20 just kept on going – far beyond our wildest expectations. It was a remarkable journey and a truly special result

The i20 had a 1.4 liter petrol motor with CVVT technology which you can buy in India as well.