So, its not only the ix25 Compact SUV that is making its way into India, Hyundai has another product that will take care of the small time crossover hatchbacks and more sensible compact SUVs that are already here and we have the exclusive first pics…
Busting a very surprising move, one of our avid reader Mohamed Shahid Hussain has shared these spy pics of a covered test mule of new Elite i20 from Chennai-Bengaluru highway, which is running around with roof rails, new alloy wheels which possibly carry a bigger tyre size as well and slightly higher ground clearance.
And then there is the obvious presence of extra plastic cladding on the sides. There may be a wee bit of changes to the front as well to distinguish the i20 cross with the regular Elite i20. However, since it is completely covered, we are not really sure of that.
So What is Hyundai Doing Here..?
Well frankly, this is an uncalled for step but its a fact that crossover hatchbacks in India have been, for some weird reason, received pretty well. The Etios Cross sells more than the Liva. Upcoming Avventura is also expected to beat Punto Evo’s sales based on the interest levels we see.
Crossover hatchbacks are the easiest products to make. You take your existing (strictly) hatchback, put some plastic cladding all around, add some fancy bits and voila here you have a car where your marketing team can put loud banners challenging the manhood of your customers. Yes Toyota actually does that! And then some manufacturers like Fiat go a step ahead and give a few actual crossover bits like bigger tyres and higher ground clearance.
Coming back to the Korean, Hyundai has already been caught testing the ix25 compact SUV in India which will take care of the Duster and other 10-14 lakh crossovers and compact SUVs. And this i20 cross will take care of anything below it, right from the Cross Polos, to Avventuras and then the EcoSport!
Strategywise, this looks like an interesting move from Hyundai but how would the end product look is a question even we are curious to know. Launch we expect may be before the ix25, sometime around the first half of 2015…
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