2014 Hyundai i10 patent drawings surface in China; may launch next year

The 2014 Hyundai i10 (Grand i10 for India) is expected to be launched in the Chinese market sometime in 2015 as its patent drawings have surfaced on the internet. It will be manufactured at the plant owned by the Beijing-Hyundai JV and is expected to be the cheapest hatchback as it will cost just 60,000 Yuan (Rs 5.87 lakh).

The China-spec i10 is expected to have the same proportions as the India-spec Grand i10 (3.7x1.6x1.5 meters) due to the fact that the Chinese car consumer values the rear seat space as much as we do. We also expect that features like the rear AC vent, 2-DIN music system with 1GB hard disk and rear parking sensors will all be offered as standard features in the Chinese market. However, we also expect that some added features like ABS, EBD and rear airbags which are a part of the Chinese safety standards will also be sold as standard with the i10.

In terms of engines we expect that the China spec car will be offered only with the 1.2-litre four-cylinder unit that produces 81bhp and 114Nm of torque. Transmission options include a five-speed manual as well as the four-speed automatic which will send power to the front wheels.

A few months ago, patent drawings for the Honda Amaze CS had surfaced in the Chinese market giving the impression that there is a scope for such cars. What this basically means is that once the Grand i10 is launched, Hyundai is likely to bring the Xcent CS (albeit with a different name) to the Chinese market.

Read our road test of the Hyundai Grand i10