India-made Hyundai i20 Active under consideration for South Africa - Report
Would be exported from HMIL's Chennai plant if launched.
The Hyundai i20 Active had its world debut in India this week when Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) launched the car at prices starting at INR 6.38 lakhs, ex-Showroom, New Delhi. Based on the Elite i20, the i20 Active is positioned as a pseudo crossover, rivaling the VW Cross Polo, Fiat Avventura and Toyota Etios Cross.
According to a report on CarMag, Hyundai's South African subsidiary would consider the i20 Active for their market. The publication reported the same after speaking to Hyundai SA spokesperson Mr. Deon Sonnekus. Hyundai SA already sells the Elite i20 (i20), Grand i10 and i10, all of which are exported from HMIL's Chennai plant. Needless to say, the i20 Active when launched would also be exported from the same plant.
Hyundai officials confirmed to Indian Autos Blog during the i20 Active's national media drive that the car would indeed go on sale in international markets, though a timeframe or the regions were not given.
The i20 Active uses the same 1.2-liter petrol and 1.4-liter diesel engine as the Elite i20, but gets better low- and mid-range torque delivery (an improvement of 6 percent in case of petrol and 11 percent for diesel).
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Features such as redesigned bumpers with skid plates, a higher ground clearance, roof rails, projector headlights with LED daytime running lights and cornering lights and new alloy wheels are seen on the i20 Active.
In the South African market, the i20 Active will go up against the Toyota Etios Cross, which is another Indian import.
[Source - CarMag.co.za]