Santro name all set to return on Hyundai AH2 hatchback

If there were any doubts about what Hyundai would name its upcoming hatchback (codenamed AH2), you can put them all to rest now, as the carmaker has shared data from its naming contest, and – surprise, surprise – the Santro has emerged as the leading choice by some margin.

As part of its Naamkaran contest, Hyundai invited the Indian public to chip in with their name suggestions for the AH2 hatchback, and from among all the options, the illustrious 'Santro' name has received overwhelming support. From the over four lakh entries so far, more than two lakh entries want the AH2 to be named 'Santro'.

The closest any other name has gotten to that figure is 'i5' – the rationale behind it being the AH2 will sit a segment below the Grand i10 – and even that received only 663 votes. The other names in the running are Saneon (a mash-up of Santro and Eon, which received 443 votes) and Splash, which has received 426 votes. So it's safe to say that unless Hyundai decides to add a suffix to the name, the AH2 will, in all likelihood, be called the new Santro.

There are other advantages to reviving the nameplate as well. The Santro was the car that introduced Hyundai to the Indian public, and despite it being discontinued in 2014, the name still has a huge brand recall. Going with the name will also help Hyundai save on marketing costs, as it doesn’t have to establish a new brand from scratch.

The carmaker has put in an effort to make the new car as spacious as possible, and as is the case with every Hyundai, it will be loaded with features, including some segment-firsts such as rear AC vents and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Powering it will be an updated version of the 1.1-litre Epsilon petrol engine, which will be more fuel efficient than before, with a claimed efficiency figure of 20.1kpl. It will also be the first Hyundai to get an automated manual transmission, and will also be available with a factory-fitted CNG kit.

Hyundai will launch the new Santro in India on October 23, and it will go up against the likes of the Tata Tiago and the Maruti Suzuki Celerio.