It is no secret that the next generation Hyundai i10 will be launched late next year. The company is already working on the new model, which is set to hit Indian shores in early-2014. Hyundai will start the next gen i10 production at its facility in Turkey by the end of 2013, for which the company is expanding manufacturing lines. The Turkey plant will soon start producing the Fluidic i20 which was recently launched in India. Hyundai and its Turkey partner are investing close to $600 million on the plant. The next generation i10 has been codenamed BA and will feature the Fluidic design sculpture. It will resemble its elder siblings to quite an extent.
Hyundai’s sister concern Kia has no presence in India. The Korean brand has no plans to enter into India as Hyundai is already full with orders for diesel vehicles, while the slowdown has affected their petrol models. However the Kia Picanto continues to test in and around Chennai, which is causing severe confusion. These spy shots were taken by MotorBeam reader Someassar in Poonamallae, on the Chennai-Banglore Highway. Now it is almost certain that the Kia Picanto will not be launched in India anytime soon. So what is the Picanto doing on Indian soil?
Hyundai is testing the next generation i10 in the Kia Picanto. The company is testing individual parts like powertrains on the Picanto. The company plans to bring in a diesel version of the next generation i10, which could boost sales of the car massively. A new petrol engine is also on the cards. Hyundai could be testing either of these on the Picanto. The Korean autmaker is considering the setup of a diesel engine plant in India. Currently all Hyundai diesel engines are brought down from Korea, which results in higher prices of diesel-powered Hyundai vehicles.
