Hyundai just revealed its latest offering in the compact sedan segment, the Aura, which we can now confirm, will be launched in India on January 21, 2020. The compact sedan will technically replace the Xcent in our market, however, the carmaker will continue selling the latter with the ‘Prime’ suffix to the fleet market.
As the Aura shares its underpinnings with the Grand i10 Nios, the exterior design of the two cars is similar to an extent. The Aura distinguishes itself from the hatchback with its new bumper and dual boomerang-shaped LED DRLs up front (the hatchback only has single units on either side of the 'cascading grille'), while the rear of the compact sedan sports a sculpted boot and wraparound tail-lights.
Coming to the engine options, at launch Hyundai will equip the Aura sedan with three BS6-compliant engine options. These will include a 83hp/114Nm, 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine, a 75hp/190Nm, 1.2-litre diesel and lastly, a 100hp/172Nm, 1.0-litre, turbo petrol engine. The 1.2-litre petrol and diesel engine will be available with either a 5-speed manual or an AMT gearbox, while the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine will only come with a 5-speed manual option. Hyundai will also offer a factory-fit CNG option on the 1.2-litre petrol engine.
Although the interiors of the Aura have not yet been revealed, we can confirm that the model will share its dashboard, switchgear and seats with the Grand i10 Nios. Its higher variants will get an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, along with a 5.3-inch digital speedometer and MID, wireless charging, an Arkamys sound system, and a rear centre armrest. However, unlike the Venue, Hyundai's BlueLink connectivity suite won’t be on offer with the Aura, instead it will get the iBlue Audio remote smartphone application.
Once launched in our market, the Hyundai Aura’s main rivals will consist of the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, the Honda Amaze, Ford Aspire, Tata Tigor and the all-new Renault LBA compact sedan that will arrive in the French carmaker’s showrooms sometime in late 2020.
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