Overview - i20 Is Best B+ Segment Hatchback In India

Overview - i20 Is Best B+ Segment Hatchback In India

Hyundai i20 made it's debut at the Paris Motor Show 2008. Similar to its predecessor i10, the i20 is being manufactured exclusively in India and exported to other countries. i20 has been very well recieved by Indian customers as it comes fully loaded with all the comfort and safety features which makes it different from other cars in same segment.

Now, Hyundai India has gone a step further by expanding the model range of i20 with the launch of a diesel - CRDi - variant to compete with the likes of Skoda Fabia Diesel & Maruti Swift Diesel. They have also launched a more powerful variant of i20 with 1.4 litre petrol engine with automatic transmission.

Click here for more details of i20 CRDi Diesel & i20 1.4 Automatic

Update: New i20 - 2 New Variants Launched

Hyundai India has launched new i20 and added two more variants to the i20 - Era and Sportz. Both i20 Era and i20 Sportz have been introduced with the petrol and diesel engines, i20 Sportz will bridge the price and feature gap between the Magna and Asta. Hyundai i20 is now available in 5 variants with three engine options.

- i20 Era
- i20 Sportz

i20 Era and i20 Sportz variants are available in 1.2 petrol and 1.4 diesel

- i20 Magna
- i20 Asta
- i20 Asta(O)

i20 Magna, i20 Asta and i20 Asta(O) - Available in 1.2 petrol, 1.4 diesel and 1.4 petrol


New features added with the launch of New i20:

- Chrome Radiator Grille - All Models
- Silver Finish Centre Console & AC Vents - All Models
- Blue Cluster Illumination - All Models
- USB Port in Music System - In Magna, Sportz, Asta, Asta(O)
- Burglar Alarm - In Sportz, Asta, Asta(O)
- Turn Indicators on Outside Rear View Mirrors - In Sportz, Asta, Asta(O)
- Passenger Vanity Mirror - In Sportz, Asta, Asta(O)

The only difference in i20 Asta & i20 Asta(O) is that the O variant comes with sunroof and it also comes with side and curtain airbags which is a first for a car in this segment in India. Commenting on the launch of new i20, H W Park, Managing Director & CEO, HMIL, said, "We are pleased to announce the launch of the i20 with new features and two new additional variants. While the variants are targeted at our customers who have different needs, the new features will help improve the i20 and make it even more desirable for our customers."

The diesel variant of new i20 now comes with six-speed manual transmission gears. The company claims that the additional sixth gear will facilitate fuel efficient driving. The sixth gear will also enable low rpm operation of the engine, making the i20 diesel more fuel-efficient and leading to a lower NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) and lesser wear and tear of the engine. The i20 1.2 Kappa is capable of delivering a mileage of 18.15 kmpl and the i20's diesel variant can deliver a mileage of 21.93 kmpl as per ARAI.

Update 2: Satellite Navigation System Added in Asta Variants of i20

The Asta Variants of Hyundai i20 now comes featuristic i20 with navigation system. The system also doubles up as an in-car entertainment unit with video playback from USB and iPod. The driver will be able to manage the system via steering mounted controls. The i20 Asta with the navigation system is priced at Rs. 630,439 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Lower, longer and wider than the Getz it replaces all over world, the five-door i20 rides on an extended 2525mm wheelbase, enhancing its spacious interior architecture. Luxury and versatility blend seamlessly in the new i20’s spacious and generously appointed cabin. i20’s list of standard features puts it head and shoulders above the majority of its rivals. The i20’s five-seater interior majors on everyday practicalities, with a 40:60 split flat-folding rear bench with a low lip for easy loading into the 295-litre boot. The i20 offers numerous intelligently positioned interior storage spaces including a large cooled passenger glovebox and two cupholders.

In keeping with its dynamic styling, i20 rides on an all-new platform with front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension to deliver the taut and alert ride quality favoured by the European market. The new rack and pinion steering setup in Hyundai i20 has also been tuned to deliver quick and accurate responses resulting in excellent urban agility. The driving position in i20 is easily adjustable, and is on the high side, so visibility is excellent, the seats comfortable and the controls are easily accessible. Hyundai has switched to new electric power steering set up for the i20. It’s accurate and weights up nicely at high speed.

Hyundai i20 had been initially launched with 1197cc Kappa petrol engine with 79 Bhp of maximum power and 110 Nm of torque. But now Hyundai has also launched a CRDi variant and a more powerful model with 1.4 litre petrol engine. The 1.4 litre generates maximum power of 100 Bhp at 5500 rpm with maximum torque of 139 Nm at 4200 rpm. Both the engines have been tuned for minimum emissions & maximum economy.

The diesel CRDi engine of i20 generates maximum power of 90 Bhp at 4000 rpm with maximum torque of 224 Nm at 1750 rpm. Hyundai i20's suspension consists of McPherson struts with stabilizer bar in the front and coupled torsion beam axle with coil springs in the rear. The suspension system is combined with gas filled shock absorbers that makes the dynamic i20 an optimum car for Indian road conditions. In addition, the modern and advanced motor driven power steering of i20 adds to the driving experience and results in effortless city driving.

Fully loaded i20 Asta comes with following features:

Adjustable front and rear head rest
Height Adjustable Driver's Seat
Dash Integrated 2 DIN Music Player with USB port, 4 speakers & 2 front tweeters
Steering mounted audio controls
Cooled Glove box - A vent has been provided in the glove box
Electrically adjustable rear view mirrors
Electrically foldable rear view mirrors.
ABS with EBD
Dual front, side & curtain airbags
Sunroof/Moonroof
Alloy Wheels
Front Fog Lights
Safety Features Available In Hyundai i20

It is protected by the extensive use of high-tensile steel in the Hyundai’s robust chassis, airbags fitted as standard, active headrests, front seatbelt pretensioners and latest generation anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. This is the first compact car in the Indian car market that is equipped with eight airbags for improved safety of its driver and passengers.

Press Release - i20 Era and i20 Sportz

Following the phenomenal success of the i20, Hyundai Motor India Ltd, the largest exporter and the second largest car manufacturer in India, today launched its latest model – the all new i20, a premium compact car for discerning Indian customers. In addition to the existing models, the all new i20 will be available in two new variants – the Era and the Sportz. These variants of the award-winning compact car come with several new technology rich features which enhance its styling and also improve the fuel consumption. The Era has been introduced with both the petrol and diesel engine as the price leading variant while the Sportz will bridge the price and feature gap between the Magna and Asta.

Commenting on the launch, H W Park, Managing Director & CEO, HMIL, said, “We are pleased to announce the launch of the i20 with new features and two new additional variants. While the variants are targeted at our customers who have different needs, the new features will help improve the i20 and make it even more desirable for our customers. We are confident that with the new features and additional variants the i20 will become even more attractive and set new benchmark for this class of cars with improved styling, unique features and conformity with global safety standards.”

The all new i20 comes loaded with many smart features. It is the first in its segment to have six-speed manual transmission gears in the diesel variant. The additional sixth gear will facilitate smooth and fuel efficient driving, making highway driving seem like a cruise. The sixth gear will also enable low rpm operation of the engine, making the i20 diesel more fuel-efficient and leading to a lower NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness) and lesser wear and tear of the engine. The all new i20 is the first-in-the-segment to have technology innovations like manual transmission shift indicators (diesel variant) an innovative gear prompt for the driver to change gears, leading to maximum fuel economy.

The all new i20 design philosophy follows the brand's new identity. From the front grille to the enhanced interiors the styling is modern and reflective of current global trends. On the exterior it features all new Chrome Radiator Grille and outside rear view mirrors with integrated turn indicators while on the inside it features blue LED interior illumination, silver centre fascia and chrome finish on inside door locks. The other new features that have been added to make the car more appealing are Fully Automatic Temperature Control (FATC) system and in-built USB port (in Magna) and several other attractive features like a burglar alarm, steering wheel with audio remote and passenger vanity mirror (in Sportz and Asta).

Hyundai is synonymous with world-class safety and low emission cars and the all new i20 debuts with the latest BS IV compliance. The vehicle also offers increased fuel economy across the entire range, which will translate into greater savings on fuel costs. As per the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the all new i20 petrol version (1.2 Kappa) is capable of delivering a mileage of 18.15 km/litre and the diesel variant (1.4 CRDi) can deliver a mileage of 21.93 km/litre which makes it highly fuel-efficient and economical to drive.  Both the petrol and the diesel variant will comply with the recently introduced BS IV emission norms.

Designed for the ‘Uber Cool” auto enthusiasts, the new variants of the all new i20 will go up for sale immediately and the prices (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the Era variant starts at Rs. 451,816 while as the Sportz, positioned between the Magna and the Asta will be priced at Rs. 531,817.