Hyundai India will soon launch a new base variant for its Xcent compact sedan in India. This new variant will be aimed at the cab operator segment which is currently dominated by the Maruti Dzire Tour.

Unlike current Xcent base trim, the Taxi variant will not feature central locking, front power windows, full wheel caps, blackened pillars and a cooled glovebox. It will also get a different cloth/Rexine seat combination.

This trim will be powered by the same 1.2-litre petrol and 1.2-litre diesel engines, as on the standard model, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The option of the petrol engine will be favourable for operators who use petrol-CNG vehicles in their fleet. The Dzire tour is available with only a 1.3-litre diesel engine.

When launched, the Taxi variant will replace and be priced similar to the current base trim which is at Rs 5.18 lakh for the petrol, and Rs 6.01 lakh for the diesel (ex-showroom, Delhi). Dealers tell us that it will be launched only once the current stocks of the Xcent base trim run out.

Hyundai currently sells close to 4,000 Xcents a month and with the Taxi variant to be introduced, the carmaker is squarely aiming at the current segment favourite, the Dzire Tour which sells close to 3,000 units a month.