Hyundai plans to tackle the Renault Kwid with a new entry-level hatchback with an SUV-ish body style which is the latest rage nowadays. Hyundai is reportedly planning to launch the vehicle in the second half of 2018.
The crossover styling design trend is spreading like wildfire among Indian automotive manufacturers with every carmaker planning at least one vehicle with SUV styling in some price bracket at this point of time. Renault has seemed to benefit most from the sale of the Kwid hatchback which the SUV crazy people of India just can’t seem to get enough of. Thus other car makers, particularly Hyundai, is planning to launch an entry-level hatchback codenamed ‘AH’ with crossover styling in order to attract SUV loving customers.
Although technical details are scarce at this moment, it is expected that the Hyundai AH will get crossover styling design cues just like the Renault Kwid hatchback. The car is also likely to share its engine with the Eon hatchback. The South Korean car maker estimates potential sales of 95,000 to 1 lakh units every year with the new hatchback.
Hyundai aims to launch the AH entry level hatchback in the second half of 2018. The current smallest car in the Hyundai line-up is the Eon hatchback which has seen a bit of decline in its sales numbers lately due to the popularity of the Renault Kwid. The Eon is currently powered by a 814cc three-cylinder engine or a bigger three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine.
The entry-level hatchback segment has seen a revival with a spate of new and upcoming launches of cars of this size and with SUV oriented styling. Almost every carmaker is now preparing to jump in the segment for example Datsun, which showcased its redi-GO hatchback with a crossover silhouette. Even Maruti Suzuki is working on a Kwid rival with reports suggesting that the next generation Maruti Alto will adopt a tall boy and crossover avatar.
Hyundai ‘AH’ Entry Level Hatchback
– Hyundai is planning to launch an entry level hatchback codenamed ‘AH’ with crossover styling
– The car will come with SUV-ish styling and low cost to tackle the Renault Kwid
– Hyundai aims to launch the car by the second half of 2018
