Hyundai i20-based crossover coming in 2017; to rival Honda WR-V

South Korean carmaker Hyundai is said to be working on a crossover version of the i20 hatchback. The purported model will make its debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March.

The production-spec version will be based on the Hyundai Intrado Concept that was showcased at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, Australian automotive website, CarAdvice.com, reported. "A big car, an important car is launching in 2017. Which is our small SUV and will be announced in the second half of 2017. The new introduction will be a smaller sibling to the Tucson sold here," the publication quoted Guido Schenken, public relations manager, Hyundai Australia, as saying.

Codenamed the B-SUV, the i20-based crossover is expected to be powered by a 1.0-litre petrol and a 1.6-litre petrol engine in Australia. In India, however, it will carry the 1.4-litre petrol and diesel as well as the 1.2-litre petrol engine options that are available with existing Elite i20. An all-wheel drive version is being considered for Australia but customers in India may have to settle for the front wheel-drive version.

The new vehicle will be pitted against Nissan Juke and Toyota C-HR in Australia. On the other hand, in India, it will go up against Honda WR-V. Honda is expected to launch the WR-V in India in mid-2017. The i20-based crossover will be positioned above Hyundai i20 Active in India.

The crossover based on the i20 will bridge the gap between the i20 and the compact SUV in the works. Hyundai compact SUV is expected to make its India debut in the beginning of 2018. Hyundai showcased the HND-14 Carlino concept at Auto Expo 2016, and it has been considered the base for the compact SUV. Apart from borrowing the engine of the i20, the compact SUV is also expected to come with 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine.