2020 Hyundai Elite i20 could launch in India by the middle of next year with bigger proportions, a new platform and an upgraded interior and exterior
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has the i20 premium hatchback as one of its three top-sellers regularly and the arrival of the new Santro has given the brand volume boost since late 2018. The South Korean auto major appears to be consolidating its domestic range to further increase its sales figures.
Maruti Baleno has been the first success story from Nexa premium dealerships but the Elite i20 gave tough competition in the segment as both traded top spots in sales for several months before Baleno getting the better of the other. Last year’s cumulative sales show a clear picture as Maruti Baleno outsold Elite i20 by nearly 70,000 units.
With a new potent rival in the form of Tata Altroz coming in, the competition will get even tougher. Hyundai could tackle the shortcomings through the next generation Elite i20 and it is expected to be launched in the middle of next year with substantial changes on the inside as well as outside.
This rendering shows how the second generation Elite i20 could look like and it got big shoes to fill by taking over from the existing model that has been in the business for nearly five years. The 2020 Hyundai Elite i20 will likely have bigger proportions than the outgoing model to emphasise more interior space.
Moreover, the exterior of 2020 Elite i20 will have an evolutionary approach to design language as the presence of cascading front grille, sharper facade, sportier bumper section up front and rear, a new set of alloy wheels, redesigned LED tail lamps are believed to be in the horizon. It could get improved NVH levels and a brand new touchscreen infotainment system with a bigger display.
The current powertrain lineup could be carried forward with BSVI compliance or Hyundai might opt to go with a new engine altogether. Expect manual and automatic transmissions to be offered.