Hyundai launches Verna GL variant for Rs 7.17 lakh

Hyundai has silently introduced a new GL variant for its Fluidic Verna sedan, priced at Rs 7.17 lakh. The petrol GL variant is powered by a 1.4-litre VTVT engine, whereas the diesel GL is powered by a 1.4-litre CRDI unit. Now with the introduction of the GL variant, the sedan’s oil-burner range starts at Rs 8.35 lakh, while the petrol range starts at Rs 7.17 lakh.

The 1.4-litre VTVT engine in the petrol GL variant produces 105bhp and 138Nm of torque, while the 1.4-litre CRDI engine in the diesel GL produces 89bhp and 224Nm of torque. Both the engines send power to the front wheel and while the petrol gets a five-speed manual gearbox, the diesel gets a six-speed unit. The GL variants come with a very basic equipment list with keyless entry and a 2-Din Audio system among others.

Besides the addition of a new variant, Hyundai has also revamped Verna’s variant lineup. Hyundai has discontinued six of Verna’s variants of which, three are diesel and the other three petrols. The 1.6-litre VTVT powered Automatic variants of the SX(O) and EX have been given the axe. Besides these, Hyundai has also discontinued the 1.6 CRDI Automatic and the 1.4-litre CRDI EX variant. The base 1.4-litre petrol and diesel variants have been replaced with the new GL.

The Hyundai Verna, for the first time in three years, slipped down to the second position in sales figures, courtesy the new Honda City. Though the Verna has been seeing consistent sales figures, Honda managed to sell double the number of the City sedans in the last two months. Hyundai’s move of reorganising its variant lineup seems to be a move taken to bite into Honda’s entry-level share in the segment. A facelifted Hyundai Verna is expected to be unveiled at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show in April which might give the City a tough fight. Till then though, Hyundai will have to keep coming up with innovative ways to improve its sales figures.