The new Hyundai Verna facelift has been launched starting at Rs 7.74 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the 1.4 petrol model, while the Verna diesel is priced starting at Rs 8.95 lakh, also for the 1.4. It gets refreshed styling, some mechanical tweaks and a little more equipment. The facelifted Verna is called the Hyundai Verna 4S.
Up front, the bumper is reworked, as are the fog lamp housings. The grille is bigger, bonnet ridged, and the headlamps are more angular. At the rear, streaks on the tail-lights give it a faux LED effect and the exhaust is now hidden from view to give the tail a cleaner look. On the inside, the audio player now comes with 1GB onboard memory to store songs. The steering now gets reach adjust function, and there’s also what Hyundai calls the 'Ergo Lever'. It is located on the inside edge of the front passenger seat, and allows the rear passenger to move the front passenger seat forward to free up more legroom if needed.
Engine options are retained; the new Verna facelift gets a 105bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine, a 121bhp 1.6-litre petrol unit, an 89bhp 1.4-litre diesel motor and a 126bhp 1.6-litre diesel motor. Transmission options include a five-speed manual gearbox, a six-speed manual gearbox and a four-speed automatic gearbox. One interesting change is that manual Vernas no longer get rear disc brakes, however, ABS has been made standard on the entire Verna range.
Additionally, this Verna facelift does get some mechanical tweaks. The diesel engines get a new, low friction coating on their pistons to improve refinement, emissions and efficiency. The rear suspension of the Verna has been tweaked with too. There are new coil springs, a low velocity valve on the dampersand new bump stops.
With this moderate facelift, Hyundai is making sure that the Verna continues to be quite a well-rounded car, that has now also worked a bit on its weaknesses.
(all prices ex-showroom, Delhi)
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Suraj Viswanathan
