HMIL will introduce the Hyundai Creta facelift
towards the latter half of 2018. A source close to the company informed us that
a facelift of the popular SUV was indeed part of Hyundai’s plans for next year.
The Creta was launched in India in July 2015, and it
would have completed three years in the market by the time the facelift
arrives. It has turned out to be a massive success for Hyundai bringing in INR
10,000 crores in revenue in 2016. The facelift will help Hyundai combat challenges
from forthcoming products like the Mahindra S201 (SsangYong Tivoli based SUV),
and the Renault Captur.
The 2018 Hyundai Creta could get exterior changes
along the lines as the ix25 facelift unveiled in China in August, and the model
sold in Brazil. The front end is expected to gain a broader single piece
‘cascading’ effect grille along with revised headlamps and fog lamp clusters.
The rear end could get new tail lamp graphics along with a layered bumper.
Hyundai is also likely to add new diamond cut alloys In typical Hyundai
fashion, changes to the interior, if any, will not be significant.
The Hyundai
Creta facelift is likely to carry the same set of engines as the current model,
which features a 1.4 L U2 CRDi diesel, a 1.6 L U2 CRDi diesel, and a 1.6 L
Gamma petrol. Both 1.6 L motors get optional 6-speed automatic transmission
options.
HMIL will also launch the Elite i20 facelift in
2018. However, the company’s main focus will be on the upcoming small car
slated to make its debut in the second half of 2018. The car will also mark the
debut of AMT gearboxes developed in-house by Hyundai.
