Hyundai i30 to Make India Debut during Festive Season

Korean car maker Hyundai is reportedly planning to bring its globally acclaimed i30 premium hatchback to India during the festive season this year.

The company, which currently markets five hatchbacks in the country, is likely to bring the five-door version of i30 to India. Globally, the Hyundai i30 comes in three versions - three-door, five-door and an Estate. Speaking to the Financial Express, Rakesh Srivastava, senior vice-president, marketing and sales, Hyundai Motor India Ltd spelt out the company's plan to slot in the new premium hatchback in the domestic market.

"The i20 is among the finest hatchbacks in the country, but we also believe that above the i20, there is room for a very premium hatchback. Therefore, we are planning to come up with a new car that will be slotted above the i20. By this year-end we may come up with a new, very premium hatchback."

Internationally, Hyundai i30, a much popular premium hatchback is offered with four engine options -1.6-litre MPi, 1.6-litre GDi, 1.8-litre MPi and a 1.6-litre VGT. The India bound version of the i30 is likely to be powered by a smaller engine and the company believes that like i20 and Grand i10, the i30 would also lure the attention of Indian auto lovers.

As of now the prices of India specific i30 is not known, but the report suggests that the car would fall in the sub 10 lakh price brackets.

Hyundai is also expected to launch the new 2015 i20 in the domestic market around the festive season. Codenamed "IB", 2015 i20 India bound version is speculated to come with 1.4-liter diesel and 1.2-liter Kappa2 engine mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed manual transmission. While the petrol engine is expected to churn out 83bhp of power and 113Nm of peak torque, the diesel engine is to give 89bhp of power and 219Nm of torque. The car is likely to pack slew of changes including the headlight, tail light and bumper.

If the emerging reports are to be believed, the upcoming i20 is likely to come packed with safety features like ABS and airbags. Other expected features include alloy wheels, climate control, keyless entry, steering mounted audio controls, reverse camera, parking sensors and automatic day/night interior mirror. When launched, the 2015 i20 will take on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Swift, Fiat Punto, Tata Bolt, Toyota Etios Liva and Ford Figo.