Hyundai Elite i20: What to expect

Hyundai will launch the new 2014 Elite i20 in India on Monday, August 11, 2014. The new Elite i20 will be unveiled for the first time globally and India will be the first market where it will go on sale. Hyundai dealers are already taking bookings for the new Elite i20. Hyundai will also showcase the 2014 Elite i20 at the upcoming Paris motor show 2014.  

 

 

The new Elite i20’s styling is based on Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2 theme. The design language is in fact very similar to that seen on the Grand i10 and the Xcent. The low mounted grille forms the focal point of the design - the headlights, bonnet ‘V’ and even the strong shoulder line emanating from there. The upturned headlights have metal inserts that give definition to the overall design; the placement of the number plate is also interesting.

 

The overall stance of the car is also sporty. What also work well are the elongated wraparound tail-lights, which make the rear of the car look up-market and very European.

 

 

The new Elite i20 gets a longer wheelbase, this means, there is more interior space on offer than the current car. As seen from the spy shots, the new Elite i20 will get a dual-tone dash comprising a light beige top and dark brown bottom. The top half of the dash features soft-touch material in a light shade.

 

The central console is wide and comes with cool-blue back lighting, double-DIN audio player and climate control. Top-end variants will get push-button start like all Hyundai offerings. Additional features on offer depending on variant will be Bluetooth telephony, audio and multi-info display, dual 12V power sockets for the front passengers and USB. Continued..

 

Mechanically, the new Hyundai Elite i20 will be the same as the current car. This means, the smooth-running 89 bhp 1.4-litre diesel and the 1.2-litre Kappa2 petrol motors will continue to power the new i20. Also on offer will be the 99bhp 1.4-litre Gamma petrol engine that will come with an automatic gearbox.

 

 

The ‘Elite’ pre-fix given to the new i20 may suggest that the new car is to be sold alongside the older one, just like in the case of the i10 and Grand i10. However, Hyundai sources have confirmed that the current i20 will be discontinued altogether after the Elite goes on sale.

 

The rationale for giving the ‘Elite’ moniker to the new i20 is to position it as a more upmarket hatch than before. With a longer wheelbase, a bigger boot, lots of features and more spacious interiors, the Elite i20 is expected to be a class better than its rivals for which Hyundai is confident it can charge customers a premium, with prices for the fully loaded versions crossing Rs. 8 lakh.

 

 

It’s clear that Hyundai plans to put the Elite i20 head on against new launches like the refreshed VW Polo and the new Punto Evo, as well as the segment king, the Maruti Swift. However, the main competition for the Hyundai Elite i20 is expected next March in the shape of the new Honda Jazz.