The variants of Hyundai’s entry-level hatchback, the Santro have been revised. The most affordable D-Lite and the Era variants have been discontinued and they are now replaced by a new trim variant called ‘Era Executive’. The new Era Executive trim is expected to be equipped with body coloured bumpers, air conditioning and front power windows which were not equipped on the base model D-Lite. The rear AC vents are not available in this trim which were earlier available on the ‘Era’ variant.
The petrol manual Magna trim is likely to offer features like a Bluetooth audio system with steering mounted controls, these features were earlier seen on the Magna AMT variant. The Sportz AMT is likely to get a rear view camera, front seat belt pre-tensioners and passenger airbags. The manual transmission model in the Sportz variant remains unchanged. The top-spec Asta variant is the only one equipped with rear parking sensors, rest all models are equipped only with driver airbags and ABS as standard.
This will change soon as the new safety standards will be implemented which require a car to come standard with driver airbag, ABS, seat belt reminder, rear parking sensors and over speed alert. The new safety norms will be enforced from 1st July 2019 and the car is expected to be updated before the date.
Other mechanicals on the Santro remain unchanged and the car is powered by a 1,086cc, 4-cylinder, 12-valve/3 valves per cylinder SOHC petrol engine producing 69 PS of power @ 5500 RPM and 99 Nm of torque @ 4500 RPM mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional AMT gearbox. The Santro is also available in a Bi-Fuel – Petrol/CNG option on the same motor which makes 59 PS of power and 84.3 Nm of torque available with a 5-speed manual.
The revised trim variants are expected to come with revised pricing which will be announced soon.