Elite i20 facelift and Ioniq EV are showstoppers at Hyundai stall

Hyundai has launched the Elite i20 facelift and showcased its Ioniq EV as the showstoppers at their stall during the 2018 Auto Expo in Delhi. The former is a mid-life update for the premium hatchback while this Ioniq showcases the direction Hyundai will take with its hybrid and electric vehicles in the future. 

Facelifted Elite i20

The Elite i20 facelift comes nearly four years after the car was launched in this generation. This update sees the car get a few exterior design changes as well as some updates to the cabin design. However, this being Hyundai, they have updated the feature list significantly for the hatchback. The top spec diesel and petrol models now get six airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounting points, ABS with EBD, sliding front arm rest as well as rear arm rest with cup holders. 

The facelifted Elite i20 has been priced in the range of Rs 5.34 lakhs to Rs 7.90 lakhs for the petrol models and Rs 6.73 lakhs to Rs 9.15 lakhs for the diesel range. What’s more, the petrol range will now get a CVT in place of the 4-Speed AT and 1.4-litre unit present in the outgoing model. 

Ioniq electric vehicle 

The other showstopper at the Hyundai stall was the Ioniq EV. This is Hyundai’s first major attempt at making a dedicated hybrid/EV. Unveiled in late 2016, it can be had as mild hybrid, plugin hybrid as well as a full electric vehicle. The original plan was for Hyundai to showcase the car as a hybrid vehicle but, given the Centre’s change in stance on hybrid vehicles, Hyundai has showcased the full electric version instead. There are no plans as yet to bring the car to India in the current climate, but with EVs taking prominence and the Centre taking a stand to go fully electric by 2030, the Ioniq may hit the roads here earlier than expected.  

Additionally, Hyundai has displayed the technology behind the Ioniq, besides screening a small preview of how cars are made at its plant. There’s also a zone dedicated to the Kona compact SUV as well as a zone where it has its i20 rally car and RN30 performance concept.