Hyundai Elite i20 launched in India for an introductory price of Rs 4.89 lakh

The Hyundai Elite i20 has been launched in India for an introductory price of Rs 4.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Designed along the company’s radical ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design philosophy, the Elite i20 is a completely new model and will also be exported to Hyundai's other global markets. Like its predecessor, the Elite i20 will be offered in ten variants, though the Magna (O) variant has now been discontinued and a new Sportz (O) variant has been added to the line-up. The diesel range starts at Rs 6.09 lakh while the top of the line Asta retails at Rs 7.66 lakh, both ex-showroom Delhi.

Though the overall design is more or less the same, the Elite i20 gets some funky detailing throughout the body with a rather large design for both the headlamp and tail lamp units. While the previous i20 donned a rounded design, sharp lines on the bonnet and side profile give the Elite i20 a sporty stance. The blacked out B-pillar and C-pillar lend the car a floating roof effect, though they might seem out of place in some colours.

For the Elite i20, Hyundai has decided to ditch the 1.4-litre petrol unit which came with an automatic gearbox, though the other two powertrain options have been retained. The petrol variants are powered by a 1.2-litre VTVT unit which produces 82bhp and 113Nm of torque and the diesel variants get a 1.4-litre CRDI unit churning out 89bhp and 220Nm of torque. While the petrol engine comes mated to a five-speed manual, the diesel gets a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Elite i20 will be offered in five variants each in both the petrol and diesel engines- Era, Magna, Sportz, Sportz (O) and Asta. Hyundai cars have always dominated their rivals in terms of the value for money they offer, and the Elite i20 is no different. The base Era variants get central locking, day and night rear view mirror, an engine immobiliser, front power windows and AC. The Magna variant gets a 2 DIN audio system with 1 GB internal memory, steering-mounted audio controls, front and rear power windows, rear AC vents, electrically adjustable mirrors and a cooled glove box. The Sportz variant offers all the above features along with driver airbag, ABS, rear parking sensors, rear view camera, body moulding, leather cover for the steering wheel and the gear knob, electrically foldable mirrors and an automatic AC. The OVRMs also integrate side indicators in the Sportz trim. The Sportz (O) variant additionally gets a smart key and alloy wheels. The top of the line Asta variant add a passenger airbag as well as automatic headlamps among other creature comforts.

The Hyundai Elite i20 is available in seven metallic colour options – red passion, pristine blue, sleek silver, polar white, midas gold, star dust and mystic blue. The Volkswagen Polo and the Fiat Punto Evo are the Elite i20’s main rivals, both of which were recently given a facelift. The Hyundai Grand i10 had carved out a new space for itself in the market when it was launched over a year ago and Hyundai has adopted a similar strategy with the new i20. While this might lead to cannibalism within the brand, we are sure that with such an attractive price tag, the Elite i20 will give the Volkswagen and the Fiat a few sleepless nights.

Prices of the Hyundai Elite i20 (ex-showroom Delhi):

Petrol

Hyundai Elite i20 Era: Rs 4.89 lakh

Hyundai Elite i20 Magna: Rs 5.41 lakh

Hyundai Elite i20 Sportz: Rs 5.93 lakh

Hyundai Elite i20 Asta: Rs 6.46 lakh

Diesel

Hyundai Elite i20 Era: Rs 6.09 lakh

Hyundai Elite i20 Magna: Rs 6.61 lakh

Hyundai Elite i20 Sportz: Rs 7.13 lakh

Hyundai Elite i20 Asta: Rs 7.66 lakh

Click here to see how the Elite i20 stacks up against its two cheif rivals, the Volkswagen Polo and the Fiat Punto Evo.