The updates on the Hyundai Eon facelift are expected to be primarily cosmetic with changes to the front and rear fascia, while the interiors will get subtle tweaks.
Three years after the Hyundai Eon first went on sale in 2011, the entry-level hatchback is not exactly aged in the market. However, competitors Maruti Alto 800 and K10 have emerged to be the segment leaders against the Eon and the model has certainly lost some of its freshness in comparison. Hyundai too feels the same as what we believe as a new spy shot of the Eon testing in South Korea has emerged online. Set to get a facelift next year, the test mule wears partial camouflage covering the front and rear fascia as well as the side doors.
Changes are expected largely to the exteriors of the new Hyundai Eon as the model will get updated styling inspired from the Fluidic Design Sculpture 2.0, also seen on the new Elite i20 and Grand i10 among other company models. Changes to the sides are expected to be very minimal with slight tucks to compliment the new front fascia. In terms of engine options, Hyundai will continue to use the same 0.8-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine producing 55 HP and 74.5 Nm, while the higher variants get the 1.0-litre unit that debuted earlier this year and produces a healthy 68 HP and 94 Nm of torque. Both the mills are paired to a 5-speed manual transmission.
Hyundai will also make basic changes to the interiors, but without radically changing the existing layout. Expect a tad bit more features to be offered as against the outgoing version on the facelifted model and that will certainly make the hatchback quite loaded in the segment. With the entry-level segment all set to be flooded by new offerings next year including the Datsun Redi-GO as well as the Redi-GO based Renault XBA; the facelift will surely help the automaker retain its market share. Hyundai could bring the major update during the festive season next year to capitalize on booming market sentiment.
Spy Picture Source – Auto.Hankyung.com
