According to a media report, Hyundai will soon be launching a new entry segment SUV in India. It is believed that this car will be positioned below the Venue and could go on sale in the next year’s festive season.
In India, there has been an increase in demand for SUV vehicles across the segment. Right from entry level models, to premium brands, the Indian consumer wants an SUV. Hence it seems only logical that Hyundai would want to cash in on its demand. Hyundai, despite having the brand Santro, wasn’t able to really move the second generation car. With this new SUV, the Korean carmaker might be planning to make its presence known in the entry-level segment.
New Hyundai entry-level SUV
The new SUV has been code named Hyundai Ai3 CUV. It will take on the likes of the Tata Punch, Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite. This project was in the cars right since 2016-17. Many studies were taken place on this SUV and it was being discussed when Y K Koo was the MD. The Ai3 CUV was finally given the go-ahead just before the Covid pandemic.
Hyundai calls this car a Compact Utility Vehicle. It will use the same platform that is used by the Grand i10 Nios and the Aura. This means that it will be bigger than Casper, which is some in some of the South East Asian markets.
Hyundai Ai3 Powertrain
In terms of engine and gearbox options, the Ai3 is likely to use the same ones on the Grand i10 Nios. This would suggest that the 1.2-litre petrol motor could be offered as standard along with a 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT gearbox. The 1.0-litre turbocharged engine could be offered as optional or under the N Line badging. There is no word yet if Hyundai would also offer a CNG variant on this new car.
Pricing and Production plans of the Hyundai Ai3
The Hyundai Ai3 will head against the Tata Punch, which should give a fair idea of the price point Hyundai would be targeting.
It has also been reported that Hyundai has planned an annual production of 50,000 units of the Ai3. To do so, the carmaker has invested Rs. 1,470 crores to expand its production capacity to 8.5 lakh units annually from the existing 7.5 lakh units.
There is no word on its price yet, but it’s likely that it will be pitted against the Punch, which is the best selling product in this sub-segment of compact SUVs.
Also read – Hyundai sold 63,201 cars in September 2022
Hyundai Casper shown for reference.