That the upcoming Hyundai Venue compact SUV will be big on features has already been documented. However, an area where Hyundai wants to completely leapfrog rivals is in-car connectivity. The carmaker has released details of the Venue’s connectivity features that are part of Hyundai’s global Blue Link technology. The ‘Smart Connected SUV’, as Hyundai calls it, will get 33 connectivity features, of which 10 have been developed specifically for India. The system will use an embedded Vodafone Idea SIM card and will also include cloud-based services. Blue Link is far more comprehensive than Hyundai India’s current Auto Link technology that provides info on vehicle health and driving behaviour.
Safety features on Hyundai Blue Link include Auto Crash Notification (similar to Ford’s Emergency Assistance System) that will automatically notify emergency services (with GPS coordinates) in the case of a collision. Further, a button on the Hyundai’s internal rear-view mirror can also be pressed to trigger an SOS message, summon roadside assistance or send a panic notification to registered family members or friends. Blue Link also allows for remote monitoring of the vehicle’s security. In the event the vehicle is stolen, the owner will be notified automatically and will have the option to remotely immobilise the vehicle. Users can also track their Venue at all times via GPS and can set up the system to receive alerts when the car exceeds a certain speed or even leaves a pre-set area (via geo-fencing). These features are sure to be of interest for owners looking to keep a close watch on their chauffeurs or even children’s use of the car.
Hyundai says it has partnered with a global mapping firm for real-time traffic updates and live car tracking. A ‘Find my car’ option will also lead you to your vehicle; handy if you’ve forgotten where you’ve parked. It will also be possible to feed a destination to the car direct from your phone or remotely from a call centre. A few convenience functions have also been bundled in. Owners can remotely switch their car on and also start the climate control system via an app – a smart way to pre-cool (or pre-warm) your car in India’s extreme weather.
And what promises to make the whole system that crucial bit more user-friendly is an AI-based voice recognition software that Hyundai claims will understand Indian accents. Hyundai has stated it will roll out the Blue Link technology on other models in India soon.
The Hyundai Venue will be revealed on April 17, 2019, and it will go on sale in May. Given the features and technology on offer, the Venue is unlikely to come cheap. Expect pricing at par with the Mahindra XUV300 and Ford EcoSport.
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