Hyundai Venue iMT launched at Rs 9.99 lakh

• Hyundai Venue iMT costs Rs 20,000 more than equivalent manual version
• iMT gearbox only available with 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, in higher variants
• New Sport cosmetic pack for 1.0 petrol, 1.5 diesel; new S+ trim for 1.2 petrol only

Hyundai has introduced a new ‘clutchless manual’ gearbox, dubbed iMT – or Intelligent Manual Transmission – to its Venue compact SUV in the Indian market. Additionally, the Venue now also comes with a new Sport cosmetic pack on all variants SX and upwards, as well as a new S+ variant for the base 1.2-litre petrol engine. We tell you more about it.

Hyundai Venue iMT: Pricing and details

The Venue iMT was announced a few weeks ago, and is only available with the 120hp, 1.0-litre, direct-injection, turbo-petrol engine. Prices start at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom) for the entry-level SX variant, going up to Rs 11.21 lakh for the SX (O) with the new Sport pack.

But just what is an iMT? It is a ‘two-pedal, clutch-less system’ – a hybrid of manual and automatic gearbox setups. In this system, the driver still has to shift gears manually, just like one would do in a conventional manual gearbox, but without the need of a clutch pedal. According to Hyundai, the iMT gearbox technology uses an ‘intention sensor’ with the gear lever, that informs a transmission control unit (TCU) when the driver is about to change gears. The TCU then signals a hydraulic actuator to engage and disengage the clutch plate while the driver shifts gears.

 

The 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine on the Venue is already available with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT, so the iMT becomes the third transmission option for this engine in the compact SUV.

Hyundai Venue Sport package: pricing and details

With the iMTintroduction, Hyundai has also added a Sport cosmetic package to the Venue SUV’s India line-up. The Hyundai Venue Sport pack will be available on the SX, SX+ and SX(O) variants equipped with either the 1.0-litre turbo petrol or the 1.5-litre diesel engine. The Sport package adds a new dual tone exterior colour options, a gloss black grille with a red insert, dark grey roof rails and intake surrounds in the front bumper, as well as red brake calipers and other red accents on the outside.

 

Inside, there is an all-new steering wheel with red stitching for the Venue Sport pack, similar to the one in the Creta, dark grey upholstery with red piping, and loads of red accents around the cabin. DCT-equipped versions of the Venue 1.0 Turbo also gets paddle shifters now. Prices for the Hyundai Venue Sport start at Rs 10.20 lakh for the SX Sport 1.0 Turbo iMT, going upto Rs 11.58 lakh (ex-showroom) for the SX+ Sport 1.0 Turbo DCT.

 

Additionally, Hyundai has added a new S+ variant exclusively to its base 1.2-litre petrol engine in the Venue, which comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox only, adding a bit more equipment to the otherwise basic model.

The table below has the complete price list of the Hyundai Venue:

Hyundai Venue iMT: Competition check

While this may not be the first instance of an iMT in the world, nor even the first one in India, it is a first in this segment. Interestingly Kia had first announced that it would bring in this technology with its Sonet compact SUV, which makes its world premiere on August 7, 2020. However, with today’s launch of the Venue iMT, Hyundai has beaten its sister brand to the market.