Hyundai India, the country’s second largest passenger car maker, seems preparing for the launch of its reworked model of i10 hatchback in the domestic market. It must be noted that this model is counted among the most successful hatchbacks of the recent times and therefore, the launch of its new model might help the auto maker to climb up the ladder and emerge at the leading position. Reportedly, Hyundai India is planning for the launch of a diesel model i10 as it has lost its market share to other diesel powered cars like Chevrolet Beat and Maruti Suzuki Ritz, among others.
Industry experts believe that the upcoming generation model of Hyundai i10 will feature best-in-class features and an advanced engine. According to sources, the launch of new avatar i10 is quite significant for the Indian auto market as the absence of its diesel model is benefiting other auto makers of the same segment. Experts believe that the fall in sales is not just witnessed by i10 and rather, a number of petrol models are experiencing the same. One of the major factors cited for the fall of sales is sky-touching petrol prices, which impacted hardly on the sentiments of domestic buyers. Owing to this, Hyundai India is planning for the launch of diesel powered i10, which will surely emerge as a dominating model in the hatchback segment.
Industry experts believe that the upcoming model from Hyundai will make its debut in the Indian auto market somewhere in second half of 2013. It is also anticipated that the model will source the diesel engine from its elder sibling, i20, which if became a reality, will feature 3-cylinder 1.2 litre power house. The maximum power churned out by this powertrain stands at 68 bhp with a highest torque of 160 Nm. It must be noted that the petrol variant of i10 will feature the same 1.2 litre Kappa engine, which is doing a good job in the current generation model.
Coming to price tag of upcoming Hyundai i10 diesel, auto analysts believe that the model will be offered with a competitive pricing of around Rs. 4.75 lakhs, which will keep it cheaper than the entry level petrol model of i20. The launch of a diesel variant in i10 line up will surely help Hyundai to earn back its lost share in the hatchback segment of the Indian auto industry.
