Sources have told Indian Autos Blog that Hyundai Motor India have moved a step closer to the launch of Hyundai Santa Fe SUV by completing the initial round of customer study for the vehicle.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the South Korean automaker's flagship model in India and the company is readying for the launch of the next generation of the SUV. The current Santa Fe is Hyundai India's third attempt at the premium SUV market and the car is doing reasonably well.
The previous attempts were the Hyundai Tuscon and the Hyundai Terracan SUVs which gave Hyundai an episode to forget. However, the Santa Fe's performance had given the firm confidence to go ahead and launch the latest version of the SUV.
The new Santa Fe adopts the car maker's Storm Edge design language which is credited with giving the Hyundai brand a boost in the image. The car is a huge step up in terms of design when compared to the current version.
Our sources say that Hyundai India has just completed the customer clinics for the Hyundai Santa Fe. The car will retain the same wheelbase as the outgoing model which stands at 2,700 mm. Sadly the extended wheelbase version available in the U.S. won't come here, which would have made it a proper 7 seater SUV.
The Indian Santa Fe is powered by the same 2.2 litre 194 bhp diesel engine which makes it the most powerful SUV in its class. The car is equipped with high-end features such as sunroof, GPS, leather seats and engine start/stop button.
The new Hyundai Santa Fe is expected to be launched in mid-2013 and will heat up the SUV segment as the latest and the freshest entrant. At an estimated price tag of Rs. 23-25 lakhs, the SUV will lock horns with Toyota Fortuner, Chevy Captiva and the newly launched Ssangyong Rexton.
