Hyundai’s Carlino-based compact SUV has been spied testing in India for the first time. As we had reported earlier, the rival to the Tata Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is scheduled to arrive in the second half of 2019. The model had also been spied testing in South Korean at the beginning of this month.
The model that has been spotted here reveals some of the compact SUV’s exterior details. Interestingly, the SUV on test retains only few elements of the Carlino concept displayed at the 2016 Auto Expo. The front grille looks is a variation of Hyundai’s new-age cascading grille, while the split and almost Kona-like headlamps are new. The top headlamps get LED DRLs with the ones positioned lower down serving as the main headlamp unit. The front bumper, which melds with the flared wheel arches, also features a silver skid plate at the bottom.
The new compact SUV does look like a scaled down Creta in silhouette, and what strengthens the link is the angular glass house and thick C-pillar. Images of the compact SUVs rear end are too camouflaged to reveal any pertinent details.
While final specification of the Hyundai compact SUV is not known as yet, we can confirm the model will be available with a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine as well as a new 1.5-litre diesel engine. The 118hp, turbo-petrol engine already powers the i20 in markets abroad and as Hyundai insiders put it, has been selected for its “strong mid-range torque that will be essential on the compact SUV”. The diesel engine on offer will be Hyundai’s next-gen 1.5-litre unit that will be BS-VI emission norms compliant from day one. We have learnt that power and torque figures for the new diesel engine will be 115hp and 250Nm, respectively. Keeping with Hyundai’s trend to offer a little bit of premium for a little bit of premium, expect pricing in the range of Rs 7-12 lakh bracket.
The compact SUV aside, Hyundai is also considering a micro SUV for India. In the coming months, Hyundai will launch a new budget hatchback (codename AH2) and will also bring in the Kona Electric SUV in 2019.