Hyundai’s Vitara Brezza rival will make its global debut at the New York Motorshow in April and will be called the Styx.
The much-awaited sub-compact SUV from Hyundai will make its global premiere on 17th of April 2019, at the New York International Auto Show in New York City, USA. The compact SUV which was earlier known by its codename QXI will be now called the Hyundai Styx. It is likely that the name will change depending on the market but the global name will be Styx. In India, the car will be positioned below the Hyundai Creta.
The Hyundai Styx will be based on the same platform as the Hyundai Grand i10 and Hyundai Xcent, making it the smallest SUV to be sold by the company in the US. It is expected that Hyundai will use the same platform to underpin their upcoming MPV. The upcoming MPV will take on the likes of the Maruti Ertiga and Renault RBC and is expected to come to India by 2020. The MPV may also be sold in South Korea and Europe making it a global product. Kia will also use the same platform for their own sub-compact SUV also expected in 2020.
Engine options are likely to range from 1.2-litre petrol to 1.5-litre diesel units. The engines will be mated to a manual gearbox and a torque converter automatic in the international markets while Hyundai will pair the engines with an AMT gearbox in India. Given the push for cleaner emissions, Hyundai will likely offer hybrid and even an all-electric version of the SUV which may make their way to India at a later stage.
The Hyundai Styx has been previously seen as an early concept called ‘Carlino’ shown at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo – though in styling terms the production car is likely to vary significantly. Codenamed the QXI, the new Styx has also been caught testing in India and overseas. India is the key development market for the Styx – even though it will be sold in multiple markets. It is expected that Hyundai will produce the Styx in India, Korea and Turkey.
Hyundai cars are feature loaded and we don’t expect anything less from the Styx. Hyundai is expected to load the car with all the bells and whistles including a touchscreen system, sunroof, climate control, multiple airbags and flexible cargo and seating options. International markets will also feature radar-based safety systems like autonomous braking and lane departure warning but it remains to be seen if they come to India. Nonetheless, Hyundai will offer maximum safety features even on base variants to ace the upcoming crash test norms.
It was expected that Hyundai would launch the Styx in India before its international debut. But given the production constraints and the global importance put into this product, we are likely to see the car only after its debut in April 2019. In terms of pricing, the Styx will be positioned between the i20 Active and the Creta. Hyundai may be looking at premium pricing with the Styx and we expect it to be in the region of Rs. 10-15 lakhs. Upon launch, the compact SUV will go against hugely popular Maruti Vitara Brezza, the Tata Nexon and the upcoming Mahindra XUV300.
Hyundai Styx
– The new sub-compact SUV from Hyundai will be named as the Styx
– Will be unveiled in New York in April this year
– India launch expected soon after
Source – Auto.NDTV.com