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By Shrawan Raja |
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Perhaps not Hyundai’s most successful year – 2010, nevertheless, has been a goldmine for the Korean company, which had three significant launches that put it exactly behind market leader Maruti Suzuki in India. The i10 facelift has whipped up unparalleled response, the Hyundai Verna Transform, despite debatable styling, has revived interest in the Verna brand, and the Santa Fe, after a lot of deliberation, has arrived and how. Hyundai recently said that all the vehicles allotted for this year are taken.
Hyundai’s presence in the 10 lakh-plus Rupee segments begin and end with the Santa Fe. Now, in 2011, it’ll share showroom space with a few other expensive Hyundais. But will it work for the company, which burnt its fingers selling bigger Hyundai’s – such as the Elantra, Tucson, and Terracan?
Hyundai is eager not only to reword its big car chapter in India, but also inch closer to Maruti Suzuki with its Alto slayer. |
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Next generation Hyundai Verna
(Codename - RB)
Introduced earlier this year as the Verna in China, the Solaris concept in Russia, and next generation Accent in Korea, the Hyundai RB makes its debut in India next year. We’re told that Hyundai is likely to offer the same pair of engines from the current Verna. The rear seat is said to offer a high level of comfort, while the freshly designed dashboard, we hear, is stylish and ergonomic. Hyundai also has the chance to offer the new Verna with the 1.4 liter AT from the i20. While the potent 1.5 liter diesel engine is a valuable addition to the new Verna’s line-up, the 1.6-liter petrol engine, united with new design and interiors, will give nightmares to the Honda City. |
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Next generation Hyundai Elantra
(Codename - MD)
Next in line is the new Elantra, with a stunning adaptation of the ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language – a new sensation in all modern Hyundais. The new Elantra will have all the necessary kit found on a `15 lakh car. Veteran players like the Honda City, and new entrants such as the Chevrolet Cruze and Toyota Corolla Altis diesel, have revolutionized this segment with power, performance, luxury, and fuel economy. The Elantra would bring style into the fray. There is no news on a diesel engine, so the Elantra will have to make do with the 1.6 liter GDI engine. Hyundai will miss out on a crucial percentage of market share, though, if the diesel doesn’t turn up on time. The company will manufacture the car locally to bring down costs, which is crucial – especially since the Elantra isn’t one that thus far has been synonymous with success.
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Next generation Hyundai Sonata – i40
The current Hyundai Sonata hasn’t done well in India, despite new engines and facelifts. There isn’t much Hyundai can do with the car – they have no choice but to sell it until the stocks run out. Once they achieve that, there is hope and anticipation. The i40 is in the breed of the new Hyundais. It scores well in every department, including safety. There is very little clarity on what powertrains Hyundai will consider for India. The 4 cylinder 2.4 liter engine sounds like a good choice for the basic model, while the 6-speed automatic transmission makes for a good partner. We expect the new and luxurious Sonata in India in the range of about `18 lakhs. |
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Hyundai 800cc car (Codename - HA)
Hyundai’s entry-level car, the Santro, has shown no signs of stopping. It was introduced originally with an 800cc engine – and when the competition upgraded, Hyundai followed suit. The market leader today is the Suzuki Alto, and with the introduction of the K-Series engine, the Alto is an arm’s length away from clocking an epic 35,000 units a month. If there’s such a vast potential in this segment, Hyundai certainly isn’t willing to miss out. Its 800cc car could be unveiled during the 2012 Auto Expo. There’s no question of diesel, as the highly efficient 3 cylinder 800cc engine is expected to inch close to the 25km/l mark. There could also be the possibility of an LPG variant on this new small car, which Hyundai could price from as low as `2 lakh Rupees. |
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