Hyundai has silently launched a new base GL variant of the C-segment Verna sedan for both the petrol and diesel options in India. The new base GL petrol variant is powered by the 1.4-litre VTVT engine, while the GL diesel variant gets the 1.4-litre CRDI engine. The base petrol GL variant has been priced at Rs. 7.17 lakhs, while the base diesel GL variant is priced at Rs. 8.35 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). The silent update comes in due time to counter the success of the fourth generation Honda City that was launched earlier this year.
The City has left the competition far behind by clocking as much as 7000 units each month in January and February this year. The Verna managed less than half of that on an average during the same period. Hyundai is fighting back hard to make sure it maintains the momentum in the segment, which it is struggling to do for now after being a segment leader for three years. The GL variants come with the 1.4-litre VTVT petrol engine that produces 105 BHP of power and 138 Nm of torque, and the 1.4-litre CRDI diesel engine is capable of churning out 89 BHP and 224 Nm of torque. While the petrol engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, the diesel unit gets a 6-speed manual.
The new GL variants get very limited features, which include keyless entry, 2-din audio system among others. Apart from the addition of the new GL variant, Hyundai has also revamped the entire variant lineup on the Verna (second or third time this year). The base EX variants have been replaced by the new GL variants on the petrol and diesel. The company has discontinued six of the Verna’s variants; 3 each from the petrol and diesel trims. The 1.6 SX (O) automatic has also been phased out, and so has the EX trim with the 1.6-litre petrol engine. Hyundai has also discontinued the 1.6 CRDI Automatic and the 1.4-litre CRDI EX variant. The South Korean automaker is surely playing catch up to the City’s exceptional success.
