Promotional feature: The Hyundai Elite i20 is the Car of the Year.
Published on Feb 25, 2015 04:51:00 PM
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It’s a tough world, and it’s getting tougher. More choices and more competition is making manufacturers go that extra mile and offer you more value. Which is very good news for us consumers. In the calendar year 2014, there were 21 brand new car launches. They ranged across the spectrum, from the entry-level Maruti Alto K10 to the luxurious Mercedes-Benz S-class. While there were many different cars, focussed on different segments, they all had one thing in common – they wanted your attention and they wanted your patronage. It’s unfair to judge a compact hatchback from a luxurious limousine. So how do we decide on a Car of the Year? It’s actually rather simple. Which is the car that has moved the goalpost the most in its particular segment? Let’s take a closer look at how the jury of the Bloomberg TV-Autocar India Awards achieves this.
LET’S SEE HOW
Our jury has turned the process of judging into a precise science. Makes sense when you see who they are – Hormazd Sorabjee, editor of Autocar India; Shapur Kotwal deputy editor of Autocar India; Renuka Kirpalani, editor of the Autocar Show; Narain Karthikeyan, India’s only F1 racer and renowned automotive historian Manvendra Singh. Just for the record, the Bike of the Year jury consisted of Rishad Cooper, two-wheeler editor of Autocar India, along with Kartikeya Singhee, consulting associate editor of the Autocar Show and champion motocross rider CS Santosh. And with them is over 40 years of experience and expertise.
They’ve fine-tuned a process which involves the analysis of an exhaustive list of parameters that helps them pick a clear winner. Each jury member also drives all the cars and rates them on parameters like fitness for purpose, design, performance, ride and handling, driving pleasure, fuel efficiency, safety, ownership experience and relevance to the market. Cold, hard, irrefutable facts and figures on numerous parameters of a car’s performance are obtained using Autocar India’s top-of-the-line data acquisition equipment. This ensures accuracy. What is also taken into consideration is how much effect the car has on its segment. Does it in any way redefine it? Does it push the boundaries of previously accepted standards? Does it bring something fresh and new and exciting to the market? The car that makes the maximum difference, wins.
WHO WAS THE BEST?
One car stood out. It managed to clinch the most awards and beat some serious competition while doing so. And this car, that bagged the Hatchback of the Year award, the Viewer’s Choice - Car Award, and the honour of honours, the prestigious Car of the Year Award, was the Hyundai Elite i20.
WHAT MADE IT THE BEST?
What did the Hyundai Elite i20 have that its competitors did not? Before we talk about the physical attributes of the car, let’s take a quick dip into the company’s history. We know that in recent times, Hyundai has changed its focus from manufacturing cars to creating an emotional response the consumer gets when interacting with the brand, a process it calls the H-Factor. This has created a modern, premium Hyundai that’s young and exciting.
The new-age Hyundai cars, with their intuitive designs backed by the company’s record and reputation, are shaping a new generation of cars. The Hyundai Elite i20 personifies this new thinking. It’s Hyundai’s statement to the world. This is a car tailored for the international platform, not hastily
put together for India. No wonder the car has picked up nearly two dozen awards! The Hyundai Elite i20 is a complete package. It raises the bar in its category. It has forced its segment to evolve. The Hyundai Elite i20 is a game changer. And that is exactly what the Bloomberg TV-Autocar Awards 2015 were all about.
DESIGN
With the new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design philosophy, Hyundai has accelerated the process of design evolution. The Hyundai Elite i20 has an undeniable maturity and refinement to its design. It manages a balance of grace and sportiness. It features bold lines without shouting out. It exudes power and style. It looks every bit the premium hatchback.
The story continues on the inside. High quality material, carefully chosen colours and materials, a driver-oriented sporty centre stack and a natural lounge-like layout make the interiors look premium, inviting and comfortable.
COMFORT
The Hyundai Elite i20 is designed around the driver and passengers. Ergonomically designed comfortable and supportive seats, a fully automatic AC, split folding rear seats and a large boot ensure you’re always comfortable. Even the layout of all the buttons and switches seems almost intuitive. Everything is exactly where you expect it to be. There are plenty of toys too. Keeping you entertained is an eight-speaker music system with Bluetooth and 1GB memory. There’s an informative supervision cluster with multi-information display that tells you exactly what’s going on with your car at all times. A smart key and push button start means all the power of the Hyundai Elite i20 is available at the touch of a button.
PERFORMANCE
Power seems to come naturally to the Hyundai Elite i20. The 1.2-litre Kappa Dual VTVT petrol engine or 1.4-litre U2 CRDi diesel always have enough power to master city streets or conquer highways. It also manages this power responsibly. Advancements in engine technology ensure minimal fuel consumption and lower emissions.
SAFETY
As with the rest of the car, there is no compromise on safety with the Hyundai Elite i20. A smart pedal and ABS help you remain in control. A park assist system with sensors, adaptive guidelines and a camera help you watch your back. And if it comes to that, front dual airbags provide responsive protection in case of an impact.
Everything combines to make the Hyundai Elite i20 a car that’s a clear winner. And it’s not just our jury, but even the people who agree.
HATCHBACK OF THE YEAR
Most hatchbacks are used within city limits. They’re convenient, economical and make perfect sense to own and live with. But most feel cheap. Not so with the Hyundai Elite i20. The materials feel premium, the seats are comfortable, the music system provides total entertainment. There’s also enough space to make sure you won’t feel claustrophobic. The light clutch, steering and gearshift combined with the power make driving in the city easy. Small wonder then, the Hyundai Elite i20 won Hatchback of the Year.
VIEWER’S CHOICE – CAR
If you’ve ever seen the Hyundai Elite i20 on the road – and with how successful it is, you obviously have – you know there’s no missing it. It just catches your eye. It looks contemporary, is packed with features and provides massive cabin space for a hatchback. Hyundai has also managed to pack in way more into this car than its competitors at almost the same price. And consumers have recognised the value it provides. Its engine is refined and economical. No surprise then, that the viewers of Bloomberg TV chose it for the Viewer’s Choice Award.
CAR OF THE YEAR
It’s clear that the Hyundai Elite i20 is a car designed for international markets. It’s a proper all-rounder that raises the bar for its segment. It is a game changer. Hyundai has left no stone unturned to give this car a global appeal. The exterior and interior design, the space, the safety it provides, the upmarket feel of everything in the car and a long list of features put it way ahead of its competition. Put everything together and the Hyundai Elite i20 is just the ideal choice for a car that you can use every day. It’s a car that’s totally worth your money. And therefore, it has won a well-deserved Car of the Year Award.
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