The fifth generation Hyundai Verna was re-imported to India after some testing was done in Korea. The all new model will break cover in 2016 and a launch will happen soon after.
Having made its entry into the compact SUV space recently with the Creta, there is no stopping Hyundai India from looking at expanding its presence. The company has been working on several new projects simultaneously for Indian and international markets that include an MPV and a sub 4-metre SUV as well that will hit the market in the future. Import data now suggests that Hyundai’s test mule codenamed ‘RBI’ has been shipped back in the country after a series of tests in South Korea.
The RBI codename refers to the Verna, Hyundai’s C-segment offering which once led the segment, dethroning all of its rivals with ease. But the Verna has now aged and the Korean car maker has given it two successive updates in the past couple of years to keep things going. With the next generation model around the corner, Hyundai has re-imported the test mule to India after it was tested in Korea at the company’s global headquarters.
The fifth generation Hyundai Verna will be launched in India by 2017 and could very well make its world debut in the sub-continent, just like how the second generation versions of the i10 and i20 did. The car will be thoroughly updated in every way to help it take back the sales crown in the segment. If the Creta is anything to go by, then the new Verna will boast of dramatically better dynamics than its predecessor. The interior will see many segment first features too and a 6-speed diesel automatic is expected.
Hyundai is also working on an MPV which is internally codenamed ‘IP’ and will be a rival to the Maruti Ertiga, Honda Mobilio, Renault Lodgy and the likes. In fact, more recently, a Hyundai MPV test mule was also spotted testing in the country revealing the fluidic design inspired styling on the multi-seater vehicle. Engine options are likely to include the 1.4-litre petrol and diesel units from the Verna, paired to manual and automatic transmission options.
The Korean carmaker is developing a sub 4-metre compact SUV which will be positioned below the Creta and separately from the i20 Active in the company’s lineup as a rival to the Ford EcoSport, Mahindra TUV300 and the likes. While details on the same are not available as yet, we could expect parts from smaller Hyundai models making it on the SUV while engine options are likely to include 1.2-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel units to comply with the excise duty norms.
Source – Zauba.com