- Hyundai’s long-awaited AH2 hatchback is rumoured to be called the Santro.
- The resurrected Santro may make a comeback on the 20th anniversary of the hatchback this September.
- The resurrected Santro will be powered by petrol motor only and will have a tall-boy design.
Hyundai is prepping a new entry-level hatchback which will be a spiritual successor to the i10. But there are strong rumours that the new hatchback (codenamed AH2) will resurrect the iconic Santro moniker. And according to recent reports, it will be either in the month of October or September.
Currently, there are two contradictory dates for the expected reveal of the new hatchback. Hyundai is running a 'Brilliant Moments' campaign in India. In this advertisement campaign, the carmaker is asking its customers to share their ‘brilliant’ moments with Hyundai cars celebrating the 20 years of sales and production in India. This nostalgic campaign will conclude in four months in October with the reveal of the new hatchback. However, the month of September marks the twentieth anniversary of the first Santro launched in India. So 23 September could be the fitting date for the revival of the Santro name in the country.
However, Hyundai has remained tight-lipped about the official reveal of the new hatchback or whether it will be called the Santro or not. However, what we know so far is that the new hatchback will be coming this festive season. It has been spotted being extensively tested on the Indian roads on many occasions. It is expected to be based on a new platform and comes with a petrol-only engine option. An all-new four-cylinder petrol engine has commenced production at the Korean carmaker’s Chennai plant and this might be the same motor which will power the new hatchback.
Styling wise, the new hatch might adopt a tall-boy stance and will be a fitting rival to the Tata Tiago and Renault Kwid in India. Going by Hyundai’s recent design philosophy, the hatchback is likely to sport the cascading grille, LED lights and smart bumper design. On the inside, the cabin is expected to be spacious with all the features available in its segment.
Details regarding the new hatch are scarce at the moment. We’ll have to wait for official word from Hyundai. Keep watching this space for further information as they come.
