India production for the all-new SUV from Hyundai is expected to commence in the July-September period this year.
With the all-new Verna now on sale, Hyundai India now seems to have shifted focus on its next major launch for our market, the made-for-India AI3 SUV that will sit below the Venue in our market. While this SUV was seen earlier in South Korea, a fresh spy shot that has come to us today shows the SUV on Indian soil for the first time, giving us more details on what to expect on this sub-Venue SUV from Hyundai.
- Hyundai Ai3 will get a 1.2-liter petrol
- Will share underpinnings with the Nios
- Will go on sale by Diwali this year
Hyundai Ai3 SUV: what does the new spy shot show
The latest spy shot that has come to us confirms that the India-specific AI3 will differ substantially from the Hyundai Casper SUV that is sold abroad. This new SUV, as reported by us earlier, will be an “SUV equivalent” for the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and will be the smallest Hyundai SUV on sale in our market. This new SUV, according to our sources, was given the go-ahead for production just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
The sub-Venue SUV from Hyundai for India seems to follow the brand’s latest design language for SUVs that feature an upright look with slightly boxy proportions. From what is known, it will look quite different from the Casper and will have unique door design body panels as well.
The micro-SUV will get a split-headlamp set-up, with LED daytime running lamps at the top and a squarish, Venue-like headlamp below it. The daytime running lamps feature an ‘H’ pattern, which was also seen on test mules of the upcoming Santa Fe SUV. This could be Hyundai’s new signature LED DRL look that could be seen on more future products from the brand.
Moving on to the sides, the front fenders and the front door, including a very upright glass area seem to give it a tall SUV look. The Hyundai AI3 SUV is expected to get ha unique and more angular design for its tail-lamps, unlike the rounded look of the Casper. The rear bumper, too, is likely to sport a different look. The Casper is expected to be around 3.8 meters long which will help it position decently under the Venue which is just a shade less than four meters long. When compared to direct rivals like the Punch and the C3, expect Hyundai to keep its contender ahead of the game with features like a sunroof, as seen in the spy pictures.
Hyundai Ai3 SUV: platform details
This new micro-SUV from Hyundai will use the same platform that underpins the recently updated Grand i10 Nios and the Aura compact sedan duo. The wheelbase for this new SUV is also expected to be identical if not same with these two existing Hyundai models.
Hyundai Ai3 SUV: positioning and powertrain
Hyundai will position this new AI3 SUV in India between the Grand i10 and the Venue this means the model will overlap some variants of the Grand i10 Nios as well as the Venue. Hyundai could also rejig variant line-ups of both models in order to make space for this new SUV. As far as powertrain options go, the Ai3 micro SUV is likely to share the same 1.2-litre petrol engine as the Venue, Grand i10 and Aura, but the decision on a CNG variant is yet to be taken. There will not be a diesel engine option on this SUV.
Hyundai Ai3 SUV: launch details
Hyundai has introduced the updates for the Grand i10 Nios and the Aura recently, the all-new Verna has also just gone on sale including updated iterations for the Alcazar. There are more updates lined up to the Hyundai range in India this year. As far as the launch of the Ai3 SUV goes, sources tell us that the sub-Venue SUV will go on sale this festive season, most likely by September-October 2023. Production for the new SUV will start in India in the July-September quarter this year.
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New Hyundai Verna launched at Rs 10.90 lakh