Hyundai’s entry-level hatchback the Eon could not stir up the segment as the company had hoped it would. Competing against the Maruti Suzuki Alto, the Eon manages a healthy 8-10,000 units per month, which is half of what Maruti Suzuki sells of the Alto. With the introduction of the Datsun GO in the segment, the heat is surely getting on to Hyundai and the company will be launching the Eon facelift with a 1.0-litre engine as well as certain cosmetic exterior upgrades.
The Hyundai Eon first went on sale in October 2011 and has been untouched ever since. The car was always criticised for being underpowered with a rather puny 814cc, 3-cylinder engine producing 56 PS of power and 75 Nm of torque. Even though the Eon was loaded with features, it could not cut into the Alto’s share in the market substantially. Moreover, the under powered engine made it a dud to drive as well.
The 2014 Hyundai Eon will get an updated front fascia. Expect the fluidic sculpture to tone down, much like all of Hyundai’s newer models featuring strong lines across the vehicle. The facelift will also help the company keep the car looking fresh for the next couple of years. The next major change on the Eon will be the new 1.0-litre engine most likely to be sourced from the European i10. This 4-cylinder engine is capable of producing 66 HP of power and 90 Nm of torque.
The Eon’s light weight will definitely help keep the fuel efficiency of the car high. The 1.0-litre engine will also keep the small hatchback more responsive on open roads and should help get rid of the sluggish performance. Expect the interiors to sport a mild refresh as well, with changes to the dashboard and addition of new colour upholstery. Expect the host of features to be retained on the new model. Hyundai could offer the base variant with the same 814cc engine, while the middle and top-end variants could get the 1.0-litre engine. The company would want to make sure it does not let the Datsun GO breeze past the Hyundai Eon in volumes; the sales numbers could also see a significant rise with the update.
