Hyundai i20 launched in India

After the grand success of Hyundai i10, today the company has launched the most awaited model of the year 2008 from Hyundai Motors India Limited, Hyundai i20.The Hyundai i20 possesses a 1.2 litre, Kappa, DOHC petrol engine with a max power of 80bhp@5200rpm and a peak torque of 11.4kgm@4000rpm. The i20 is meant to compete with the 1.3 litre Maruti Suzuki Swift Petrol. The i20 has active and passive safety equipment like anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and comes fitted with six airbags. The i20’s engine is similar to that of i10’s 1.2l engine. It is a premium hatchback model from the company that is priced between Rs. 4.80 lakh and Rs. 5.82 lakhs (Ex- Showroom price of Delhi). The company calls it “Uber Cool” car that is available in three variants and sports a fuel-efficient Kappa engine.

Designed to meet the high quality standards, the five-door i20 offers a large interior cabin and stylish exteriors. Featuring Hyundai's distinctive design motifs – a body coloured radiator grille flanked by piercing teardrop headlamps at the front and a striking rear light clusters – the i20's modern lines are further strengthened by neat detailing, including colour-co-ordinated bumpers, sills and wing mirror.

The i20's well-packaged interior boasts of generous levels of standard equipment. All the i20 models have AC/heating, tilt & telescopic steering, 60:40 split folding rear seats, dual tone beige interiors, 2 DIN CD + MP3 Music System, front & rear power windows, refrigerated glove box, a multi information display (which includes trip distance, engine running time, calendar, clock, temperature and audio display) and tachometer, as standard equipment. While the top-end model of the i20 comes with features like fully automatic A/C, leather wrapped steering wheel and TGS knob, steering mounted audio control (a first for this segment), foldable key with keyless entry function, alloy wheels, height-adjustable driver seat, electrically foldable and adjustable outside mirrors and the category first six airbags.However the model is presently launched in petrol variant only and diesel variant is not yet offered from the company but its being speculated that diesel variant will also be launched by early next year. The new model is designed specifically for the international customers and is available in seven colors – crystal white, black diamond, sleek silver, silky beige, sparkle blue, berry red and dark grey metallic.

The car will be manufactured at company’s Chennai plant and it will use the Chennai port for exporting the model to the countries across the world and meet its international demand. Hyundai is India’s largest car exporter and second largest car manufacturer that plans to occupy a larger market share in India and expand its product portfolio.

Last month only we saw the launch of Maruti Suzuki's A-Star in compact segment and in the coming year we will again see many automobile giants to launch there new products like Fiat is planning to launch its mid-sized FIAT Linea similarly Mahindra & Mahindra are also planning to launch there much awaited model Mahindra XYLO. Along that in compact segment, Suzuki is planning to launch its SPLASH model whereas FIAT will again try to capture the compact segment my launching FIAT Punto.

So in the year 2009 many new car models will come across the Indian consumers, and i hope that this new launches will bring back the lost smile in Indian Automobile Industry since they are facing a tough time after the global recession from September 2008.

(NOTE: Images may vary from original model of i20 of India, since this images are of i20 available in the european market)

Compiled By: Saurav Chakraborty

ADVERTISEMENT SPACE: