Hyundai Releases Official Teaser of The New Compact SUV for India

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has released the official teasers of the new compact SUV for India. The new model, codenamed Ai3, is expected to be launched in August this year.

The Hyundai Ai3 SUV is built on Hyundai's K1 small car platform. It will be based on the platform Grand i10 NIOS and Aura. The new compact SUV will be positioned under the Hyundai Venue and will compete with the Tata Punch.

Engine and Transmission

The Hyundai Ai3 could be powered by the same naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine that is available in the Venue, Grand i10 NIOS and Aura.

The new model is unlikely to get a diesel engine option. Many carmakers have started to drift away from diesel due to the government’s strict emission regulations for diesel engines.

Most of the mechanical features will be similar to the Grand i10 Nios. It is expected to come up with both manual and AMT gearbox options.

Design

The style and design of the new model will be inspired by the latest design DNA of Hyundai. The Ai3's exterior design is likely to be similar to the Casper that is currently being sold in South Korea and in the global market.But, it is important to mention that the upcoming Hyundai Ai3 SUV should not be confused with the Hyundai Casper SUV.

Some changes in the design will be there to make it look more attractive. When compared to Casper, the Ai3 will be more spacious and larger in size. In addition to that, the upcoming Hyundai Ai3 SUV will feature a completely different styling compared to the Hyundai Casper SUV. It will have a more angular design consisting of full-width light bars at both the front and rear.

The shape will be more squarish with an upright stance to make it look like an SUV. The cabin will be more spacious and will be optimised for maximum room. The new model will be equipped with a larger greenhouse.The upcoming Hyundai Ai3 SUV will be much larger than the Hyundai Casper SUV and we expect the exterior dimensions of the Ai3 SUV to be somewhat similar to that of a Hyundai Grand i10 Nios hatchback with an overall length of just around 3.8metres.

Segment Features

Hyundai is known for its segment features and the new compact SUV is expected to showcase some exclusive features. Some test mules have been spotted with a sunroof. So, the model is expected to get a sunroof as well. Once launched, this feature will be a USP for the new compact SUV.

Production

Hyundai has plans to start the production of the new compact SUV very soon. It will be manufactured at HMIL's manufacturing plant in Chennai.

Launch and Delivery

It is expected that the new car from Hyundai will hit showrooms somewhere around July-August 2023. The delivery of the new car is likely to start by October. The carmaker has planned the delivery date keeping in mind the festive season in India. The cars launched during the festive seasons perform well in sales.

Rivals

Once launched, the Hyundai Ai3 SUV will compete against the likes of Tata Punch and Citroen C3 models in India. The success of the model will help the South Korean automaker pull a decent lead over Tata Motors in sales.

Conclusion

With the launch of the Hyundai Ai3 SUV, HMIL will be able to attract more customers to its showrooms and the exclusive features of the new compact SUV will help the car company boost its sales figures. The success of the Ai3 SUV in the Indian market will help the South Korean automaker keep Tata Motors at bay.