Several media outlets today are reporting that pre-bookings of the Hyundai AH2, which is expected to become the next-gen Santro, will commence on 10 October. On contacting the company, IAB was told that the official date for the start of the pre-bookings is yet to be announced. The new hatchback will reportedly launch on October 23.
The Hyundai AH2 will reportedly replace the Eon which goes out of production this year. That said, the new hatchback will be more expensive. Unlike the Eon, which was underpinned by the low-cost PA platform, the new Santro will be built on an updated version of the old i10's HA platform.
In compliance with the stringent safety norms that will come into effect from 1 October 2018, the new Santro will offer dual front airbags, ABS, reverse parking sensors, speed-sensing door lock, impact-sensing door unlock, seatbelt reminder for front seats, and a speed alert system. Hyundai Motors India Ltd has said that the AH2 is a 'modern tall boy'.
It will be powered by an updated version of the 1.1-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that powered the last generation i10. For the Hyundai AH2 (2018 Santro), the engine will be in compliance with the BSVI emission norms. It will come mated to a five-speed manual gearbox as standard and a 5-speed AMT as optional. So, the AH2 will become the first Hyundai model in India to offer an AMT. To be marketed as 'Smart Auto', the gearbox will be used in the next-generation Grand i10 and Elite i20 as well.
Prices of the Hyundai AH2 (2018 Santro) should start at Rs 4 lakh. It will rival the Maruti Wagon R, Maruti Celerio, Tata Tiago, and Renault Kwid 1.0. It was reported today that the new Santro's high-end Asta trim will offer a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that will support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The feature-laden system made its debut on the recently updated Hyundai Elantra.
