Hyundai’s next-generation i20 spotted testing in Chennai

Hyundai is testing the next-generation variant of the i20 in India. Though the test car has been sighted in a disguised avatar the new vehicle is expected to get a major makeover. The refreshed hatchback might make its global premiere at the Paris Motor Show scheduled for October 2014.

The heavily camouflaged vehicle in these pictures, courtesy Overdrive, does not reveal many details. The all-new Hyundai i20 will be based on a complete new platform, codenamed IB. The overall proportions of the car will be the same and the car will be kept under four metres. The company seems to have made changes to the bumpers, the grille and headlamps. The fluidic design seems to have carried forward from the Grandi10 and the Korean manufacturer might tweak the cabin to offer more space and comfort, while packing it with many features.

Though there are speculations that the new Hyundai i20 will be made available with new petrol and diesel engines, we expect the manufacturer to equip the new car with the same engine options currently on the outgoing model. This implies that the petrol variant will be powered by the 1.2-litre engine that churns out 83bhp of power and 113Nm of torque, while the diesel variant will be powered by the 1.4-litre motor that produces 89bhp of power and 219Nm of torque.

This new model of the Hyundai i20 will be the second generation of the hatchback. Till now, the i20 has been refreshed with a few cosmetic changes and an all-new variant is due to arrive. The vehicle has been spied testing several times in our country and overseas as well. The car was previously sighted in Spain, Germany, North Europe and South Korea. We can expect Hyundai to launch the vehicle in India during the festive season this year. The new i20 will go up against the Tata Bolt, Volkswagen Polo, Honda Jazz and the Fiat Punto when it goes on sale in the Indian car market.