Hyundai, India's second largest car manufacturer, has announced that it will launch the much-awaited Elite i20 based crossover in the country on March 18, 2015. Named the i20 Active, it will be the company's first compact crossover in India. Designed at Hyundai Motor's Design Centre Europe in Russelsheim, Germany, the crossover will be the fourth Hyundai to make its global debut in India. Other three were - Grand i10, Elite i20 and Xcent.
The compact crossover will rival against the likes of Toyota Etios Cross, Fiat Avventura and Volkswagen Cross Polo. The company has made few changes to differentiate the i20 Active with its hatchback sibling- the Elite i20. It gets sportier exterior and interior. The front fascia of the crossover has new skid plate, projector head-lamps with daytime running lamps, new bumper with large fog lamps, etc. At the back, the car has a new bumper with circular reflector and silver skid plate. Its wheel arches have been fitted to new 17-inch alloy wheels. Other additions include plastic body cladding, roof spoiler and roof rails.
The company has also increased the ground clearance of the i20 Active to tackle uneven and bumpy roads in better way. Inside the cabin, the crossover is expected to get new upholstery, upgraded infotainment system and a few more features. The petrol version of the car will be propelled by a 1.2-litre motor that is good for 83PS and 115Nm of torque, while the 1.4-litre CRDi diesel unit develops 90PS and 220Nm of torque.
