HYUNDAI i20: Not an ordinary car from any angle. Targeted at Europe, it was designed and built in Germany. In Europe, it was launched in 2008, and it came to India in 2011 with some changes. The rest is history.
SUCCESS STORY: More than 10 lakh i20s have been sold in the last 10 years in the country. The fact that it sold one lakh units within its first year of launch will help you gauge its popularity. In the premium hatchback segment, Hyundai i20 is the king.
CLASSY: i20 can be best described as a hatchback with a classy design, luxurious interior and an engaging driving experience. By introducing all these factors into a hatchback, Hyundai successfully created a new segment called premium hatchback.
2ND GENERATION: By the end of 2014, Hyundai drove in the second generation i20. Launched in two models named Elite and Active, it continued the success story of its predecessor. And, now comes a facelift with a slew of contemporary features.
NEW LOOK: Not much of a change in its fluidic design theme. It's still bold, sporty and trendy. New design touches have given a fresh look to i20.
EXTERIOR CHANGES: New black cascading grille, projector headlamps with daytime running lights, cornering lights, 16-inch diamond-cut alloys, dual-tone colours, new front and back bumpers, and a new taillamp cluster make it an all-new model.
INTERIOR: There are quite a few changes in the inside. Superior quality seats and plastics are instantly noticeable. Armrests for driver seat and back seat. Infotainment cluster is all new and features a larger 7-inch touchscreen panel with navigation. It also supports Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and has features like auto headlamps.
AUTO LINK: i20 comes with Auto Link, which is a mobile app that gives the owner all the information of the car including maintenance and service assistance from Hyundai. It essentially connects your i20's smart computer to your mobile phone via Bluetooth.
SAFETY: The new i20 gets top safety features, including segment-first six airbags. Telescopic steering helps adjusting steering position for reach. Other safety features include ABS, EBD and backup camera with dynamic parking guidelines.
DRIVING: The 1.4-litre diesel and 1.2-litre petrol engines are tuned for driving pleasure. The diesel engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox, while the petrol gets a five-speed manual stick. The diesel motor offers you more power and sportiness, while the petrol power-train aids smooth driving.
PRICE: The petrol model cost ranges from Rs 5.34 lakh to Rs 7.90 lakh, while the diesel version costs Rs 6.73 lakh to Rs 9.15 lakh.
TEST DRIVE: Popular Hyundai 9895790650