Hyundai has, time and again, being hinting at joining the fast-moving compact SUV segment in India. However, they have never told us, with which car…?
While, we may never get to hear from them officially but from their international stables their is only one compact SUV they are developing for emerging markets which looks tailor-made for India (apart from other markets) – the ix25.
They showcased it in its concept form at the Beijing Auto Show and the final production version will debut at the Chengdu Auto Show which is scheduled for coming September 2014. Hyundai will launch it in China around October and it possibly will become the first country to get it.
Coming back to its Indian angle, Rakesh Srivastava, senior Vice-President of Marketing and Sales of Hyundai India, in an interview to Financial Express, has confirmed that
By this year-end we may come up with a new, very premium hatchback. And by next year we will launch our compact SUV in India.
ix25 is based on Kia Soul and will be a competition to Terrano and Duster in India considering its size. In China, it is expected to be priced between 13-16 Lakh Indian Rupees (after conversion).
However, in India it should come at a lesser sticker price tag. Since this will not be a sub 4 meter car, we can expect Hyundai to plonk Verna’s 1.6L petrol and diesel motors to give it a zesty little edge over Duster, at least on paper!
Meanwhile, Carnewschina.com has spotted the ix25 on test yet again in China before its official unveil. At the upfront the grille, headlamps, fog lamps, alloy wheels appear in production form as compared to the concept.
Hyundai has also hinted at an MPV launch in India details of which are very sketchy at this point of time.
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