Hyundai i10 1.2 ‘Kappa’ driven
July 16, 2008 – 9:16 am by Charles Pennefather
The i10 has always been a popular car, and now it has got better with the introduction of a new engine, the 1.2 litre Kappa motor whose base model’s price is Rs 3.99 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. We got our hands on the car, including the automatic, for a driving impression.
The facts first: the new engine is an all-aluminium, DOHC, 16-valve unit that produces 80bhp@5200rpm, 11.4kgm@4000rpm, and is redlined at 6500rpm. It has a lubricated timing chain, offset crank, and spark plugs that have been lengthened from 19mm to 26.5mm. The valves incorporate hydraulic lash adjustors. Other innovations include the lack of a fuel return line that helps save fuel by eliminating evaporation, and fuel injectors whose pulsing can be varied, depending on the requirements of the moment – warming up, power, or normal driving. The i10 automatic will also be available with a four-speed 
transmission.
HMIL let us sample the cars on the East Coast Road from Chennai to Pondicherry. The Kappa motor is remarkably eager to rev, and those who’d like a little fun every now and then with their i10 will appreciate this the most. There is enough overtaking power now even for the highway, with second and third gears showing 80kph and 140kph on the speedo. The aluminium construction has made the engine lighter by 3kg – so the good ride and handling of the old model remain. The automatic is probably the best small car for city traffic at the moment – it is very responsive at city speeds, and will allow you to dart into the little spaces at traffic jams without you having to exercise your left leg at all.
What was pleasantly surprising was the absence of badges on the engine cover – we are so
used to manufacturers shouting “DOHC!” from the rooftops, that the small ‘Kappa’ badge just ahead of the right door and the ‘1.2’ badge on the hatch make the new i10 an almost-sleeper. Looks like Hyundai are taking ‘subtle’ in a very serious way; look at the 2008 Sonata Embera, for instance. The i10’s performance has got better, as has the power rating, but fuel consumption is expected to be 4-5% lower than the Epsilon. The Kappa is ready to meet Euro V regulations. In its current form, it meets Euro lV norms and emits 119g of CO2 per km. HMIL have spent US$230 million on a new engine plant to manufacture the 
Kappa motor, as it will be used in export models as well.
The Kappa motor will not make it into the Getz, which will make way for the i20 hatchback by the end of this year. There are no plans at the moment to introduce the diesel i10 right away, but if research indicates that it will be well received and if HMIL manages a high amount of local content, then it will be launched in India as well.
The i10 Kappa lineup will start at Rs 3.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the Magna manual,
which will not have the 1.1 as an engine option any more. The 1.1l engine will still do duty under the hoods of the Era and D-Lite, but the new variants, the Magna, the Sportz and the Asta will have the Kappa motor. The Asta with sunroof is the top-end variant, at Rs 5.43 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.
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15 Responses to “Hyundai i10 1.2 ‘Kappa’ driven”
I am looking for automatic version. Please let me know on the road price ex-thane.
By V G Pillai on Jul 21, 2008
I am most impressed with the features of i10 with 1.2 all aluminium engine.Can I book now the automatic for purchase in New Delhi.Please get me the reply.Thanks.
By Mohinder Kathuria on Jul 21, 2008
I am going have my first car. I have shortlisted. Santro Xing, i10. which one is best or would you suggest any other car which suites in all aspects i.e. performance, economy, style, comfort etc.
By shafi on Jul 21, 2008
well santro xing is a trusty car of the old generation.. but for gen y of corse it’s the i10.. becoz the santro is quite bumpy at the back(i’m no expert but that’s the difference i felt from santro and other cars) since both santro and i10 are powered by 1.1, i10’s engine is more refined.. since u r a beginner.. u wud really need a tachometer in your car (the rpm meter)… santro doesn’t have it.. but i10 does… so it wud be better. overall, santro is getting dated.. that’s y they have made it cheaper comparing to i10… other alternatives u cud try other than hyundai are suzuki vagon R(tall boy design and also has lpg built in) , chevorlet spark(cute and chevorlet is currently giving a THREE yr maintenance free plan).. finally suzuki alto is much better in looks than santro and gives best mileage tho engine is bit smaller than santro…. so do chk out these vehicles… hope i was of help [:P]
By syed fazlu on Jul 23, 2008
When can we expect i20 in market? is there any difference in space? what about look and feel, plz answer to this question asap
By anfal on Jul 25, 2008
I went to book a i10 1.1 magna but was hooked on the 1.2 kappa Sportz model. But the dealer is pusing me to buy 1.1 magna and also is willing to give discount of 30k which brings down the on road price to 4.22k where as the 1.2 sportz would cost be 4.86 on road. He is not willing to extend any discount on Sportz.
This is 64k more. assuming I spend 20k for the mp3, speakers and spoiler, which are in Sportz but not in Magna, I am paying 44k more for the Kappa 1.2 compared to Ephilson 1.1. This is the case with all the dealers. I dont know why (is Hyundai listening??. The dealer is also telling me that the additional 0.1L is having no effect in the performance. (I could not believe this). He is not having vehicle for test drive. I am feeling that Hyundai is phasing our magna 1.1 and wants to get rid of the the stock.
Is this additional cost of 44k worth for the kappa 1.2 DOHC engine? can any one advise me?
Thanks in advance
By VB Leo on Jul 27, 2008
Nice review of the car, thanks for sharing.
By Motorbeam.com on Jul 27, 2008
I want to purchase i10 in Hyderabad,
so, what is d price of ex-showroom ?
By Rakesh on Jul 28, 2008
can someone please tell me the gear ratio on the i10 kappa??
By niki on Jul 28, 2008
for d sake of comparison…………compare 1.1 magna with that of 1.2 magna…..1.1 irde.magna prices ..@ 4.56
n 1.2 kappa magna prices @ 4.62……….so d point is that u hav 2 pay jus 6-7k..more…for kappa……..well kappa is 1.lt 80 bhp…vehicle with 16 valve dohc engine……with 4%more fuel efficient……..i know thats not d big deal…but irde is 12 valve sohc engine……with 66.7 bhp…..well 1.1irde is noisier as compared to kappa..
kappa has aluminium engine ….n is EURO 4 ready……………
now d point is that….d 1.2 magna production has not yet started….as it would surely affect d sales of 1.1 magna………{hyundai is playing game over here}….so ur forced to buy 1.2 sportz @..4.86
i would suggest u to go for kappa engine ………………..else santros EPSILON enginr is far better than 1.1 irde engine….
By urmil on Jul 30, 2008
regardin….HYUNDAI i20……it will be launched in mid 2009…..with 1.2 lt kappa engine same as that of i10
its will b the replacement for GETZ…
as spacious as getz…n wil b priced at 5.5lakhs
By urmil on Jul 30, 2008
Is 1.2 Kappa Magna available in Delhi?
Not yet launched in hyderabad. I am having to go for the Sporz Model. Any indication on the price of i10 1.2 Magna??
Thanks
By VB Leo on Jul 30, 2008
Thanks Urmil,
I shll go for the 1.2 kappa Sportz. Makes better sense.
Regards
By VB Leo on Jul 30, 2008
Review is fine. At the end, it makes no sence in going for 1.2 as 1.1 is much more value for money proposition. For speed n other additional features why should go for i-10(1.2), when other models r available or in the pipeline?
By V.Prakash on Aug 13, 2008