A test mule of the Hyundai Alcazar with the CNG kit has been spied for the first time, launch likely this year
The Hyundai Alcazar, which is the Korean brand’s answer to Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus, has been spied by MotorBeamer Aniket Khamkar in Pune with what could probably be a CNG kit. This development comes right at the time when Kia is also testing the CNG version of its latest Ertiga-rivalling 7-seater, Carens.
With this, it’s evident that the Hyundai/Kia twins are up for a good fight with a long list of CNG variants lined up for launch soon against the Maruti Suzuki/Toyota duo’s upcoming hybrid onslaught.
Taking design inspiration from Hyundai’s popular compact SUV, Creta, the Alcazar SUV has both 6 and 7 seater options. Offered with either a 2-litre petrol or a 1.5-litre diesel engine, the SUV’s price starts at Rs. 16.34 lakhs and goes up to Rs. 20.15 lakhs (all prices, ex-showroom).
The 2-litre, 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, which will reportedly get the CNG kit, is the updated version of the unit seen on the Elantra and Tucson. Currently, it develops 159 HP and 192 Nm. Hyundai also claims that the Alcazar, in the petrol-manual combination, can do the 0-100 km/hr in 9.5 seconds. But, once CNG is installed, there might be drop in power.
The SUV also comes in a choice of 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic and, as of now, it’s not known which transmission might get the CNG addition. The petrol version’s claimed fuel efficiency is 14.5 km/l in manual mode while the automatic version returns 14.2 km/l.
Just few days back, Kia was seen testing its Carens MPV with a CNG kit. The model on test was the top-end 1.4-litre turbo manual, reportedly the Luxury Plus Turbo variant. With this launch, Kia is set to break the usual trend of brands not offering CNG on their top-end models.
Hyundai is also expected to follow suit by offering CNG on the top-end variant of the Alcazar. According to sources, the CNG variant of both the Carens and Alcazar might be launched this year.