While Hyundai India is gearing up to launch the
Hyundai AH2 (codename) in the upcoming festive season, its headquarters have
started testing a new hatchback in Korea, which is reported to be the next-gen
Hyundai i10.
The second generation Hyundai i10 was launched in
August 2013, and following a six-year timeline, the third generation model is
due in 2019. Hyundai distinguished the second-gen model for India with a longer
wheelbase (the Grand i10 is 40 mm longer in wheelbase and 100 mm longer in
overall length than the international model) to aid backseat comfort.
The test mule looks longer and appears to have a
longer wheelbase than the current standard wheelbase version sold in the
international markets. If it's of the standard wheelbase variant, then Hyundai
may not need to create a LWB variant. In other words, a single version would
cater all the markets. Hyundai loves using prefixes and suffixes for the name
of its cars in our market, and so, it may continue calling the car "Grand
i10" here, though.
On the design front, the 2019 Hyundai i10 is
reported to borrow heavily from the upcoming Hyundai Avante facelift (Hyundai
Elantra facelift). Wider headlights and taillights and a characteristic hexagonal
grille are two design highlights expected to make their way on the hatchback.
Comprehensive changes to the interior are a given. The current Grand i10 is
already one of the most feature-packed cars in its class with a touchscreen
entertainment system, multifunction steering wheel, automatic climate control
and rear AC vents.
Hyundai India will introduce an automated manual
transmission with the AH2 this year, and it is expected to offer this
technology in the next-gen Grand i10. The Grand i10's main competitor is the
Maruti Swift, which already offers an AMT on petrol and diesel variants. The
2019 Hyundai i10 could go on sale in India around Diwali 2019.
