UPDATE: Hyundai Venue compact SUV for India unveiled
In the run-up to its launch in mid-May, Hyundai dealerships have begun unofficially accepting bookings for the new Venue compact SUV for a booking amount of Rs 50,000.
The SUV will be revealed on April 17 in India and in New York simultaneously, showing just how important the model is for the Korean brand.
Considering the Hyundai Venue will enter the extremely competitive compact SUV segment in our market, it will rival the likes of the Mahindra XUV300 and Ford EcoSport at the higher end and the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Tata Nexon at the lower end of its range. Expect the Venue price range to begin at Rs 8 lakh and go up to Rs 12 lakh for the top-spec variant (estimated, ex-showroom).
To justify the price point, Hyundai Venue features will be class-leading in certain departments – particularly in terms of connectivity. Hyundai’s Blue Link connectivity suite includes 33 features, 10 of which have been added specifically for the Indian market. The connectivity technology adds a number of safety and security features, AI-based voice commands, location-based services and ease of usage with remote functions for the engine, AC, doors and more.
All variants of the Venue will feature basic safety kit such as dual front airbags, ABS, seat-belt reminders and rear parking sensors, while top-spec trims are expected to sport a sunroof, ventilated front seats, a climate control system and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible.
The interior of the Venue will feature a straight-forward and ergonomically designed cabin. There’s plenty of storage space and cubbies for various odds and ends, as well as an umbrella holder above the glove box.
From teasers and design sketches released by Hyundai, as well as leaked images of the model, we now know that the Venue SUV’s design is derived from larger SUVs in the brand’s international range. A new version of the cascading grille, along with the split DRL-headlight setup, is borrowed from the likes of the Hyundai Kona while the side profile is reminiscent of the Hyundai Creta. The Venue, at least in top-spec form, will also sport dual-tone exterior options, a ‘floating roof’ design, dual-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels and reflectors on the wheel arches.
Hyundai will debut a new 120hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol motor as well as a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox on the Venue – the latter is likely to be controlled via paddleshifters – another segment-first. Other Venue engine options include a 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol and a 90hp, 1.4-litre diesel engine - the former comes with a 5-speed manual while the latter is pared to a 6-speed manual.
Watch this space for more details as we get closer to the official launch of the Hyundai Venue.
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Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
