Country's second largest carmaker plans a 5-member SUV portfolio.
Post the launch of the Hyundai Creta in July 2015, reports stated that Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL) was also working on a sub-4 meter SUV that would rival the likes of the Ford EcoSport, the forthcoming Maruti YBA and the Mahindra TUV300. A new report on Car and Bike says that HMIL will reveal the compact SUV at the Auto Expo 2016, or prior to the biennial event.
The compact SUV in question will ride on the Hyundai i20's platform, and will be offered exclusively with a front-wheel drive arrangement. It will naturally source power from the same engines used on the i20: the 1.2-liter Kappa petrol with Dual VTVT and the 1.4-liter CRDi diesel. As in the i20, the petrol would be paired to a 5-speed manual transmission whereas the diesel gets a 6-speed manual gearbox.
HMIL is likely to reveal only the design of the product - via a concept - at the upcoming show, however, the market launch will take place within a 12-month period. Prior to the launch of the compact SUV, which will occupy a price segment between the i20 Active and the Creta, HMIL is likely to launch the Tucson as a formidable rival for the Mahindra XUV500 and the like.
Also read: Hyundai i20 Sport with 1L turbo-engine launched in Germany
The report states that HMIL is keen on having a 5-member crossover/SUV portfolio extending from the i20 Active to the flagship Santa Fe.
[Source - Car and Bike]
