As we mentioned in the earlier post, not many were pleased with the i10s Kappa engine on the i20. The new 1.4-liter petrol and this 1.4-liter CRDI injected a load of adrenaline into the i20.
No this isn’t the Verna's or the Getz' CRDI engine but an all new 1400cc oil burner, giving out 90PS power and the show stealing 220Nm of torque, that urged us to give it the "hot hatch" tag.
At idle you don’t know what you are in store for, rev the engine slightly and a nice roar is heard, mind you just a roar and not a clatter. Engage the 1st gear and the car doesn’t just move ahead, it sprints, that’s just the sign of how eager the engine is to surge ahead.
Unlike other CRDIs, once the turbo's fully complimenting the engine at 2,200 RPM, the car is a different thing altogether. The power build-up essentially starts from there on and as you move into overdrive, you'll be surprised to see a calm car doing 155kmph.
Vibrations and irritating noises are completely absent on the i20 CRDI, NVH levels are very good and has to be, as this is made for the European markets and its direct competitor is the worshiped Ford Fiesta hatchback.
The longer ratios and the absence of a strong turbo kick-in makes it a thoroughly delightful drive in the city. The engine is very refined and it is hard to say from inside the cabin if it’s a CRDI or a petrol.
Gear shifting is precise but not as sharp as the Hondas or Fords. Ratios are tall and we didn’t need to downshift often during city drives. To make it a driver's car, Hyundai should have shortened the ratios a little bit.
Today's verdict -
The engine offers unmatched refinement belongs to the next level of CRDI engines. The i20 is a very great value for money car if your way of assessing a car is by the torque it delivers and the way it gets to its top speed.
