Having shared the first images of the facelifted Verna a couple of days ago, Hyundai India has now confirmed the updated midsize sedan will come with its upgraded Blue Link connected-car technology.
So far available only in the Venue compact SUV and Elantra sedan, Blue Link will soon be offered with the second-gen Creta – set to be launched on March 17 – and also the Verna facelift. The Verna facelift’s Blue Link connectivity suite has a total of 45 features, and also includes voice recognition that can be used to control a wider variety of in-car functions such as making phone calls, tracking live cricket scores, getting navigation assistance and weather updates. Also part of the Blue Link suite are remote engine start-stop and operation of the climate control system (for the automatic variants only), real-time vehicle tracking and geo-fencing, among others.
The Verna facelift’s Blue Link suite has fewer features than the second-gen Creta’s. The reason for that is the Verna’s sunroof and seat ventilation can’t be operated with the help of voice commands, and the Creta also features an air purifier that can be controlled remotely, something that’s not available on the Verna facelift.
Changes for the Verna facelift on the outside include reshaped LED headlights with DRLs, the addition of the sizeable, chrome-heavy ‘Cascading Grille’ and a redesigned front bumper with a brushed-aluminium insert for the lip. Viewed side-on, the Verna facelift remains largely the same, save for new, dual-tone alloy wheels. At the back, the LED tail-light elements receive a new design, and there’s a restyled bumper with a chrome appliqué and a subtle faux diffuser.
The 2020 Hyundai Verna facelift will get new engine and gearbox options, including a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. In the Hyundai Venue, Grand i10 Nios and Aura, the 1.0 T-GDI engine makes 120hp and is expected to have the same power output in the Verna facelift. The shift to BS6 emission norms means the pre-facelift Verna’s engine options have been phased out, and the facelift gets BS6-compliant 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines. In addition to a 6-speed manual gearbox, the Verna 1.5 petrol will get the option of a CVT automatic; while the Verna 1.5 diesel will be available with the option of a 6-speed torque-convertor automatic.
On the inside, the Hyundai Verna facelift is equipped with a 4.2-inch colour TFT screen for the part-digital instrument cluster. Also expected to be part of the equipment list is a larger, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. As before, the Verna facelift will come with features such as ventilated front seats, wireless smartphone charging, hands-free boot opening and an Arkamys sound system.
The timing of the Hyundai Verna facelift's introduction is key. Honda is currently gearing up to reveal – and launch – the all-new City in India this month, and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Volkswagen Vento are now petrol-only models, with the Skoda Rapid also set to go petrol-only in the coming weeks. Hyundai wants to be in the thick of the action, and will launch the refreshed Verna in the coming days. With the update, the Hyundai Verna facelift’s price is likely to go up by a fair bit; the pre-facelift Verna’s price ranges from Rs 8.18-14.08 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
Lenny D'sa
Saptarshi Mondal
