Hyundai Motor India Ltd is reportedly planning 6 new utility vehicles to tap into the country's rapidly growing demand for rugged-looking vehicles. First of them is the QXi sub-4-metre in April 2019.
The launch of the Maruti Vitara Brezza rival will be followed by the next-gen Hyundai i20 Active and all-new Creta. While the latter will be released in 2021, the next-gen Hyundai i20 Active is likely to launch after the debut of the next generation Elite i20 in 2020.
The next-gen Hyundai i20 Active will be based on the all-new i20 that is due in 2020. It could get the 1.0-litre T-GDI turbocharged direct injection petrol engine that will power the QXi SUV. The turbo-petrol unit will be BS6-compliant and will be produced locally to keep costs under a check.
Currently, the i20 Active is available with a 1.2-litre, naturally aspirated petrol engine that outputs a maximum power of 82 bhp. The new engine will enable the next generation of i20-based crossover to reduce the performance gap with rivals like the Ford Freestyle, whose 1.2-litre petrol engine produces 94.68 bhp.
That said, as Hyundai has instituted the QXi and an Ignis type micro-SUV, the i20 Active need not gain more SUV character. Hyundai may actually want to turn down the outdoorsy feel, think about features & performance than ruggedness.
In May 2018, the Hyundai i20 received subtle updates in May 2018. The changes include the addition of a blue & white dual tone paint scheme, silver finish on the front fog lamp and rear reflector surrounds and a black rub strip on the boot lid. On the inside, the dashboard gets a new button layout, new seat upholstery, and Alps blue interior highlights.
Before the next-gen Hyundai i20 family, the company will launch the AH2 small car in October 2018 and the next-gen Grand i10 in 2019.
[Source - economictimes.indiatimes.com]
