Weeks ahead of the new Hyundai Santro (Hyundai
AH2)’s debut on 23 October, Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has taken the wraps
off its latest entry-level offering. Y K Koo, MD & CEO, Hyundai
Motor India, has revealed that 'Santro' has turned out to be the choice of 66.6
per cent of the 5 lakh respondents of the 'Naamkaran' campaign. Bookings of the
new model will commence tomorrow. The booking amount has been set at INR 11,100
for the first 50,000 customers.
The 2019 Hyundai Santro features a sufficiently
modern tallboy design. Highlights of its front-end include swept-back headlamps
and a huge Cascading grille with a chrome surround. It is flanked by a large
set of fog lamps. Talking points of the side profile include ORVMs with
integrated turn indicators and an interesting kink in the beltline. An
arrow-shaped character line runs on the front door and the fender. The rear
should carry a clean look, with a large tailgate, chunky rear bumper, and
stylish taillamps.
The interior features a dual tone colour theme.
While a beige-black colour scheme will be standard, more options will be
offered. The dashboard carries an Elephant-inspired centre console and has a
dedicated slot for the positioning of a God idol. The new model provides a 6.94-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that
supports Android Auto, Apple Carplay, iBlue & Voice recognition. The all-new
Santro is claimed to offer a class-leading AC, whose highlights include a 135cc
compressor and first-in-segment rear AC vent.
The 2019 Hyundai Santro will go on sale in two fuel
options - Petrol and CNG. The new model's 1.1-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine
outputs a maximum power of 69 PS at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 10.1 kgm at
4,500 rpm. The CNG variant offers 59 PS at 5,500 rpm and 8.6 kgm at 4,500 rpm.
The petrol motor has a claimed fuel efficiency of 20.3 km/l. The CNG model
offers an 8 kg tank capacity. It benefits from a Dual ECU setup along with
Matrix Injection and Filler Valve with Micro Switch.
Transmission options include a 5-speed manual and a
5-speed SmartAuto AMT. The new Santro has a claimed top speed of 150 km/h. As
per the company, its manual transmission-equipped variant can sprint from 0 to
100 km/h in 14.5 seconds, while the AMT version takes 16.6 seconds. Suspension
components include a MacPherson strut setup with a stabiliser bar at the front
and a Coupled Torsion Beam arrangement at the rear.
The 2018 Hyundai Santro measures 3,610 mm in length,
1,645 mm in width, and 1,560 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,400 mm. As
compared to the first generation Santro, the new model offers 62 mm and 16 mm
more legroom at front and rear respectively. All trim levels will ride on
14-inch steel wheels shod with 165/70-spec tires. The company has used 63%
Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) + High Strength Steel (HSS) in the
construction of the new model's platform. ABS with EBD and Driver’s Airbag will
be offered across all the variants.
The 2019 Hyundai Santro is targeted primarily at the
first time car buyers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Hyundai feels that while the
new Santro would appeal to married men and women above 35 years of age, the millennials would prefer
the Grand i10 over the new entry-level model. The 2019 Santro will be exported
to the Middle East and Africa. Prices of the new car should start around INR
3.7 lakhs (ex-showroom). The latest offering from Hyundai will go on sale with
a 3 Years/100,000 km Warranty and 3 Years Road Side Assistance.
