After the recent i20 Active, Hyundai’s next major product launch is in the fast moving compact SUV segment. The ix25, as it is known to the world and ‘GS’ by codename will be launched around or before the festive season this year to fight against Duster, Terrano and others.
It has been snapped testing in India multiple times and looks interestingly good. Being a 4.2-4.3 meter car, it will not be a ‘small car’ and will attract higher 24 percent excise duties. Hence the bigger 1.6 liter petrol and diesel engines from the Verna are almost confirmed. Autocar reports that it will also get the smaller 1.4 liter diesel motor to ensure a wider price band and lower sticker price tag.
This is very similar to Renault, which offers a petrol engine and the diesel engine in two tunes – 85PS and 110PS on the Duster. The Hyundai’s 1.4 liter U2 CRDi diesel motor produces 90ps of power on the i20 Active and is priced between Rs 7.63 to 8.89 Lakhs. This gives us a hint that ix25 may start at entry prices of around Rs 8.5 Lakhs for the entry diesel variant or Rs 7.99 Lakhs, if Rakesh Srivastava (Sr Vice President, Sales & Marketing Hyundai India) keeps his word…!
