The seventh-generation Elantra was internationally revealed in 2020, and while its SUV counterpart, the Tucson, has just been launched in India, there’s no sign of the executive sedan. It is likely that will continue for a while as our sources in the company have told us that Hyundai is prioritising the new Verna for our market. The carmaker says that the new Verna will be significantly larger and more spacious than the outgoing model, and therefore believes that it could cover both the midsize and executive sedan segment.
- New-gen Hyundai Verna likely to be launched next year
- Will get a long list of equipment including ADAS tech
New Verna to tread on both midsize, executive segments
The new Verna needed to grow in size as it will now cater to many more markets including the US, where buyers prefer large-sized cars. Moreover, the added space will help it better compete with rivals– the Honda City, Skoda Slavia and the Volkswagen Virtus midsize sedans. With its bigger size, high-levels of equipment and more power, Hyundai feels that the higher variants of the Verna will eliminate the need for a seperate executive sedan model.
This segment in India is nearly dead with just one model – the Skoda Octavia. With the Octavia’s price tag already crossing the Rs 30 lakh mark and the new Tucson crossing the Rs 35 lakh mark, there would be a chance that the new Elantra would be priced out of contention. It is a risk Hyundai will take only after seeing how the higher (and more expensive) variants of the new Verna are accepted.
New Hyundai Verna: what we know so far
The next-gen Hyundai Verna (codename: BN7) was spotted testing in South India a couple of months ago. The heavy camouflage hid the design of the new model well, but certain styling cues suggested that the new Verna’s design is likely to be heavily inspired by the new Elantra. It will follow the latest ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language with a wide grille that merges with the headlamps.
The spy pictures also suggested a fastback-like styling with a tapered roof, similar to the previous Vernas. At the rear, it is expected that the new Verna will feature angular tail-lamps, similar to the new Elantra. In terms of equipment, the new Verna is expected to get a long list of features, including ADAS technology.
For the Indian market, the new Verna is expected to continue with the 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines, and Hyundai could also add the more powerful 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine from the Creta. Especially since the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus both get the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines. Gearbox options are likely to be carried over unchanged and a smaller turbo-petrol engine could be added to the line-up later.
The new sedan is likely to make its global debut sometime this year and an India launch is expected in 2023.
New Hyundai Elantra details
The new Elantra features a striking ‘Parametric Dynamics’ design theme with interesting elements like the cascading grille and T-shaped LED tail-lights. The new-gen sedan is based on Hyundai’s K3 platform, which, the carmaker says, is lighter compared to the outgoing model. The new Elantra is also 56mm longer, 51mm lower and 26mm wider, with a 20mm increase in wheelbase, which has resulted in more room for passengers.
Internationally, the Elantra gets a 2.0-litre petrol engine paired to a CVT gearbox, and, for the first time, Hyundai is offering it with a hybrid powertrain – 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine with a 32kW electric motor producing a combined 139hp and 264Nm of torque. Last year, Hyundai unveiled the Elantra N powered by a 276hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.
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