Stringent BS-VI emission norms are set to kick in by April 2020 and among its victims could be the 800cc engine powering Hyundai’s entry-level hatchback, the Eon.
The hatchback, which is the entry point to Hyundai’s India line-up, is powered by two engines – the 56hp, 800cc Epsilon engine and the 69hp, 1.0-litre Kappa engine. Due to its lower price point, the 800cc engine variant forms the bulk of the model’s sales. But it is also the motor that might struggle to meet the tighter emission norms. Developing an updated, cleaner version of the 800cc engine may prove to be too costly for Hyundai and, hence, is likely to discontinue the engine by 2020.
And that's not all. The Eon will also be up for a full model change around the same time and is likely to be replaced by a model sporting a 'Santro' badge, as it is the more successful one of the two.
Hyundai launched the Eon hatchback in 2011 to compete with the Maruti Alto, and introduced the 1.0-litre engine later on. It currently competes with the Alto, the Renault Kwid and the Datsun Redigo.
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