The year 2015 saw Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) take the SUV segment by storm with its Creta. The Creta recorded over 90,000 bookings worldwide at the end of December 2015 and became Indian Car Of The Year (ICOTY) 2016.
Buoyed by the response, the company has decided to focus on strengthening its SUV line-up in 2016. Hyundai will showcase its Tucson SUV at the upcoming Auto Expo 2016 and the launch can be expected in the second half of the year. Apart from the Tucson, Hyundai will showcase the Sonata hybrid, N Vision 2025, and introduce Genesis luxury brand at the Auto Expo 2016 in February, reports ET Auto.
Tucson will be positioned between Creta and Santa Fe in Hyundai's India SUV portfolio, carrying an estimated price tag in the range of Rs 17 and 22 lakh. The SUV is built on a new platform that offers larger cabin space and provides 513 litres of luggage capacity. The India-spec model is expected in diesel engines that is available in three options: 113bhp (1.7-litre), 134bhp (2.0-litre) and 183bhp (2.0-litre).
Considering that the importance of eco-friendly cars is growing due to increasing pollution, Hyundai has planned to introduce Sonata Hybrid at the show. The car will join the other hybrid model in the segment such as Toyota Camry hybrid and soon to be launched Honda Accord hybrid. The Vision N 2025 is a design study that underlines the capabilities of Hyundai's global design team.
The first car from the Genesis luxury brand, G90, will have its India premiere at the show. Though the brand is not expected in India in its first phase of expansion, G90 is an attempt from Hyundai to shed the image of value-for-money car maker. The flagship sedan will boast of many new luxury and tech features. Hyundai will also unveil 1.0 and 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engines that can be seen in the future vehicles of the brand at the show.
