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Hyundai will launch the next generation i10 in 2013, which will be the second generation model of this compact hatchback. The Korean automaker has till date not plonked a diesel engine under the hood of the Hyundai i10 as it seemed unfeasible form the cost point of view. The next generation i20 though will get a diesel engine as the shift towards diesel cars continue in emerging markets including India. Honda is developing a diesel engine for the Brio, while Maruti Suzuki too is said to be working out plans to offer a diesel-powered WagonR. It is imperative that Hyundai does not miss the boat and gives the i10 the much needed oil burner.
At the recent Geneva Motor Show 2012, Hyundai unveiled the i20 facelift, which now features an all new 3-cylinder diesel engine. This compact diesel motor could very well find its way into the next generation i10. Downsizing is the norm nowadays and a smaller engine benefits from lesser fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions. The 1.1-litre U-II diesel engine produces 75 PS of power and 180 Nm of torque. These figures are on-par with the non-VGT Fiat Multijet diesel engine, which does duty on a wide range of cars in India.
Hyundai is offering Stop and Go system on this engine in the European i20, however such technologies are still light years away from being offered in India, as they push up the price by a significant margin in the cost sensitive Indian market. With a CO2 emission of just 84 g/km, the 1.1-litre diesel engine is not only frugal but extremely environment friendly too. Hyundai could price the diesel powered i10 at a Rs. 60,000/- premium over its petrol counterparts, when the next generation i10 goes on sale in the country by the later half of 2013. Expect class leading fuel efficiency figures, nudging close to 25 km/l (as per ARAI).
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