India’s second largest automotive manufacturer Hyundai showcased its complete lineup at the 2014 Auto Expo. The Korean manufacturer also brought the HND-9 coupe concept and launched the 2014 Santa Fe in India at the biennial event. Hyundai has had a successful run in most of the segments with its products, thanks to the new generation fluidic sculpture design language, loads of electronic goodies and frugal engine options.
In attendance was Hyundai’s cheapest car in India, the Eon that rivals the Maruti Alto 800 in the A-segment hatchback space. The car is also the smallest to feature the fluidic sculpture design and certainly looks stylish compared to the competition. Next up was the i10 hatchback that is now available only with the 1.1 iRDE2 engine and has been one of the company’s most successful products. Hyundai also showcased customised i20 hatchbacks as well as the i20 ICC Twenty20 World Cup edition car.
Hyundai also showcased the new Grand i10 that was launched last year. The Grand i10 is slotted between the i10 and i20 and is loaded with an all new 3-cylinder diesel engine. The updated Verna, Elantra and Sonata saloons were also on display at the pavilion. However, a major attention was the one making its first public outing, ala the Xcent compact sedan. The sub-4 metre sedan is based on the Grand i10 and is equipped with petrol and diesel options as seen on its hatchback twin. The car offers a tad bit more room at the rear than the hatchback. The Xcent compact sedan replaces the ageing Accent in the segment and will be on sale from March 2014.
Hyundai also launched the much awaited Santa Fe SUV at the Auto Expo. The SUV is now completely redesigned and looks more premium than its predecessor. The design is sharper, sleeker keeping the fluidic philosophy intact. Doing duty is the same 2.2-litre VGT diesel engine that produces 194 BHP of power and is mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The new Santa Fe has been further localised to keep costs in check and is priced at Rs. 26.3 lakhs, going up to Rs. 29.5 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Hyundai is definitely looking to better its sales with the Xcent sedan this year, which will be the next major launch from the company in the coming weeks.
