Last year, there was a new report that came out stating that the Santro nameplate will make a comeback soon. At the Verna launch yesterday, Hyundai has confirmed that an all-new compact hatchback will be launched in India in the second half of 2018.
If rumors are to be believed, it will carry the Santro nameplate. The Santro was the vehicle that made Hyundai famous in the country and was also a much loved and well reputed hatchback.
Sources close to us who have seen the vehicle stated that it is a massive step up from what is there in the existing market. He also added that the vehicle looks very premium now and also has good interior quality. Currently, the smallest vehicle sold by Hyundai is the Eon, which isn’t doing the numbers the company would have hoped for. The company has discontinued the i10 and now only has the Grand i10 above it. This means that there still is a gap which can be plugged between the Grand i10 and the Eon. The vehicle has been code-named AH and it will most likely be styled as a crossover, like the Kwid.
The vehicle will take on the likes of the Tiago, the Wagon R and the Celerio when is is launched later next year. The company may choose to show the vehicle at the upcoming 2018 Delhi Auto Expo.
The Carlino is one vehicle that developed a lot of interest at the 2016 Auto Expo. This is Hyundai’s compact SUV that will take on the likes of the Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Ford Ecosport and will sit below the Creta. According to a report, the vehicle will be introduced in 2019. Details are still scarce on the Carlino though as we have only seen the vehicle in concept form. Engine details are not yet known either. Given the success the Creta has got, Hyundai could have a winner on their hands and Maruti could find it tough to keep the Brezza ahead.
Over the last year, there have also been a lot of rumors that Hyundai is going to introduce an AMT as well, for their smaller products. Currently, Hyundai offers the 4-speed torque converter unit in the Grand i10, Xcent and the i20, which is a very old gearbox now. The company will most likely update this gearbox with a new AMT sometime next year. This will not only allow them to price the vehicle more competitively, but will also make the vehicle more fuel efficient, something that the Indian customer likes.
Source: Link