Hyundai Creta small SUV to get India-specific changes

Hyundai recently conducted multiple customer clinics in India and has taken feedback from prospective Indian buyers.  Based on this, the variants with dual tone interiors will now get a contrasting lighter shade only the dashboard while the door panels and handles are likely to retain the darker shade. The prospective buyers stated that the lighter shade gets dirty easily, especially if used on the door pads.

The new Hyundai SUV (GS) is expected to come with a Verna-sourced 1.6-litre petrol or a diesel motor of similar displacement mated to the same manual and automatic gearboxes as the sedan. Apparently, the carmaker is also readying a 1.4-litre diesel-equipped version of this SUV. This motor is the same unit that does duty in the i20 diesel hatchback and the Verna 1.4 sedan. Being 4.27 metres long, this SUV will miss the benefits extended to the small car category. The smaller-capacity engine should allow the carmaker to price the SUV attractively, as a diesel engine under 1.5-litre capacity attracts lower taxes.

The Hyundai small SUV’s styling, however, is similar to the larger ix35, with wrap-around headlight clusters and prominent, lower air intakes housing the front fog lights. The model also sports a different, more prominent grille design than its larger sibling. It is expected to come to India with 17-inch alloy wheels too. However, there will be no seven-seat option and it will be sold only as a five-seater here.

Hyundai will be targeting the Renault Duster and the yet-to-be-launched Suzuki S-Cross (ACross)with this SUV. According to company sources, a sales target of around 4,000 units a month has been set. To achieve such high numbers, the GS will have to be competitively priced, and a range of Rs. 11-15 lakh (ex-showroom) across variants can be expected.