Hyundai could launch Styx-based MPV in India next year; to likely rival Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and upcoming Renault RBC
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is planning a raft of new launches for the domestic market this year and the most significant of them all will arguably be the compact SUV rivalling Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport. Having been spied testing a number of times in India as well as abroad, it will adorn Hyundai’s global design language with now-signature cascading front grille.
Codenamed QXi, the compact SUV is expected to carry the production name Styx. Hyundai will reportedly use the nomenclature in several global markets and is part of the strategy to further increase worldwide volumes. Recent rumours suggest that the Styx will make international premiere at the New York International Motor Show scheduled for this April.
The Styx is believed to be Hyundai’s first launch in 2019 and thus expect it to debut by June or July locally. It is allegedly based on the same platform as the Grand i10 and will stick by the sub-four-metre formula to avail tax benefits. The rumour mill rumbled on further to indicate that the architecture will spawn a MPV developed along the lines of the Styx.
Its purported launch timeline is 2020 when Kia could give birth to a similar sized compact SUV as the Styx for global markets with India firmly in the radar. We are particularly interested in the MPV speculation, as Hyundai shows the intention to expand into segments it does not have a presence in yet. Moreover, going by the looks of things, it could act as a direct rival to the upcoming Renault RBC.
The emergence of Ertiga as a top player in the volume MPV space could have boosted confidence in Hyundai and Renault. Maruti Suzuki introduced the second generation Ertiga in November 2018 and is making a strong impact while Mahindra Marazzo’s decent sales run stands testament to the fact that the MPV segment should not be overlooked whatsoever.
If Hyundai’s Styx based MPV comes into fruition, expect it to share powertrain with the SUV sibling. It could be in the combination of turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol, 1.2-litre petrol or 1.5-litre diesel. Both manual and AMT choices are likely to be offered from the get-go.