Hyundai’s Duster Rival ‘ix25’ Launch by Mid Next Year

While a mini-Evoque from Tata Motors remains a distant dream, it’s Hyundai that would be launching its ix25 by middle of 2015 according to Overdrive. The compact SUV has already been spied testing on Indian roads barely a few days back and the company is using Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster as benchmarks which is obvious.

Hyundai-ix25-compact-suv

However, unlike the EcoSport, the Hyundai will not be able to meet the sub four-metre mark and thus with no excise benefits to avail Hyundai will be loading it with features and equipment to appeal to customers as a more premium offering than at least the EcoSport.

The styling of the ix25 is based on Hyundai’s new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language and we can see that the concept displayed at this year’s Beijing Motor Show has more in common with the recently launched Elite i20 than any other Hyundai, ix35 included. The ix25 concept measured 4,270 mm in length, 1,780 mm in width, 1,630 mm in height, and had a wheelbase of 2,590 mm. The production version might be as big too.

Renault-Duster (3)

Now, since there is no question of excise duty, Hyundai may chose to go all guns blazing in terms of engines. The all-new Hyundai ix25 may be powered by the 1.6-litre engines from the Verna while the entry level variants could also get the lesser i20’s mills.

Ford-EcoSport (6)

The compact SUV might also bring a few segment firsts in true Hyundai tradition – expect class leading interiors while the exterior should at least get day-time running LEDs (DRLs). The ix25 is expected be strongest in areas where the competition is weakest – the Duster has put off many potential customers due to its lacklustre interiors and the EcoSport’s lack of incabin space has made it lose quite a number of fans too. The ix25, it seems, will get the better of these two…

Related: Hyundai’s MPV May Come Next Year: Plans Second Plant in India

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