Honda introduced our market to the premium hatchback segment with the Jazz. It was tragic that the Honda Jazz couldn’t garner enough sales due to high pricing from the company. However, there was one manufacturer that got the pricing and specifications right and that is none other than Hyundai. The Korean automaker launched the i20 premium hatchback in 2008 and it was in instant hit. Hyundai loaded the vehicle with a good amount of features and goodies and this was one of the most significant reasons behind the vehicle’s success here.
Initially, the Hyundai i20 was offered in only two variants – Magna and Asta and it was later on that the company introduced a couple of more variants like Era and Sportz. The second generation Hyundai i20 has now been caught undergoing testing at Kodaikanal by our reader Siva Kumar. The vehicle received a minor update in 2010 and a mid-life facelift in 2012. Now, the automaker is all set to launch the all new Hyundai i20 by the end of the year. The second generation Hyundai i20 will compete with the new Honda Jazz, updated Volkswagen Polo and Maruti Suzuki Swift in the domestic market.
We have seen the newer Hyundai cars following the ‘Fluidic’ design philosophy and it goes without saying that the new i20 will also follow the same. So expect the next generation i20 to look significantly different than the current model. Hyundai vehicles are not known for their handling characteristics but now the manufacturer wants to produce more driver-oriented vehicles so we can expect the new i20 to come with a better suspension and handling combination.
We don’t even need to mention that Hyundai will load the 2015 i20 with all possible goodies but it would be great if the company makes safety features like ABS and dual airbags as standard on all the variants. The current generation Hyundai i20 is offered with three engine and transmission options – 1.2-litre petrol MT, 1.4-litre petrol AT and 1.4-litre diesel MT. The same engines will be carried forward to the 2015 Hyundai i20, however we cannot rule out the possibility of them coming in a better state of tune for improved performance and fuel efficiency.
