Yesterday, we broke the news that Hyundai’s new sub-4m offering, a sedan version of the recently launched Grand i10, had commenced its road tests in India. Today, our reader, Dr. Geo Thachil, is back with another set of spyshots of Hyundai's Honda Amaze challenger.
The variant spied here is the base model equipped with the 1.2-liter Kappa2 engine, the same engine used in the Grand i10 and i20. However, Hyundai will also provide this sedan with a diesel engine, which could be the 1.1-liter three-cylinder U2 engine (powering the Grand i10), or the four-cylinder 1.4-liter engine (powering the i20).
Both engines displace under 1,500 cc and as a result, are eligible for the Indian small car excise duty benefits.
The Grand i10 Sedan will have its rivals in the Honda Amaze, Maruti Dzire and Tata Indigo eCS. Slotting in between the Grand i10 hatchback and the Verna, expect Hyundai to price this sedan in a similar manner.
We expect Hyundai to launch the Grand i10 Sedan in the first half of next year. Strategically, the company discontinued the Accent earlier this year, thus creating some room for the new car.
Hyundai's Indian chief, Bo Shin Seo, recently said that his headquarters had asked for "leadership position" in India. Shin Seo said that even if Hyundai were unable to overtake Maruti in terms of sales, they would like to be the most loved car brand in India. Models such as this sedan, a compact crossover and an MPV are aimed at doing exactly that.
