Hyundai replaced the Getz with the i20 and in the process moved the vehicle into a slightly higher segment. This has resulted in the price difference between the i10 and i20 to become quite significant, leaving a void in between. Thus, in order to fill this void, Hyundai plans to bring in the i15, which will slot where the Getz used to be once. The company wants to re-enter the low cost B-segment and is already working towards bringing the Hyundai i15 to markets. The i15 is being developed for emerging markets like India and won’t be sold in Europe.
The Hyundai i15 will share its powertrain with its siblings, the i10 and i20. It will feature the Fluidic styling, which has been hugely successful for the Korean automaker. The design won’t be tall boy like the i10 but more like the i20, with the length somewhere in between both the cars. Hyundai could also use the i15 to offer a 1.1-litre diesel engine, leaving the i10 with only a petrol engine on offer. The company could also use India as a hub to manufacture the i15, which could also be exported to other emerging markets.
The most popular body style today is a crossover and Hyundai will develop a crossover based on the i15. This crossover could rival the Renault Duster and Ford EcoSport in the Indian market, with prices starting at around Rs. 6.5 lakhs for the base variant. The compact crossover segment is showing lots of interest from major automobile companies. GM unveiled the Chevrolet Trax compact crossover, while Volkswagen is working on two crossovers, each based on the Up! and Polo platform.
