Next-Gen Hyundai i20 Spotted Testing Before Launch This Year
Hyundai i20 is a popular premium hatchback in the Indian market. Like most Hyundai models, this is also a global product, and Hyundai offers it in many other markets as well. Hyundai is working on the next-generation version of the i20, and we saw images of the test mule last month. Now, we have come across a new set of images that gives us a clearer view of what the next generation of this premium hatchback could look like. The Hyundai i20 is expected to be launched globally later this year.
The images of the test mule have been shared by Autoevolution on its website. The next-generation i20 was spotted testing abroad, and from the images, it looks like the brand was conducting brake tests on the hatchback. In these images, we get a glimpse of the front, side, and rear of the vehicle.
The car is expected to get a completely new design. In fact, it looks a lot boxier than the current-generation model. It also appears to be slightly bigger than the current version. The hatchback is expected to come with a completely new front end featuring sleek, rectangular all-LED headlamps, a wide front grille, a redesigned bumper, and more.
The car is also expected to come with LED DRLs, and from the images, it looks like the next-generation i20 might offer Level 2 ADAS features. The hatchback also gets front parking sensors, as seen in the images. Coming to the side profile, you will notice that the car comes with large ORVMs with integrated LED turn indicators, similar to those seen on the upcoming Creta and the new Seltos.
The window line sweeps upward as it moves towards the C-pillar. It looks like the rear quarter glass panel seen on the current-generation model has been removed. The next-generation i20 might get a chunky C-pillar design, and we are also likely to see completely new tail lamps. These will feature LED elements, and the car might even get a connected LED light bar. Just like the front bumper, the rear bumper is also expected to have a sporty and muscular design. The wheels on this particular test mule are steel units, and we feel the higher variants will come with an all-new alloy wheel design.
The cabin of the next-generation i20 is expected to be different from the current version. Hyundai is likely to go with a simple, minimalist, yet premium-looking layout. We expect to see the use of recycled materials in the cabin, and along with that, there could be a large touchscreen infotainment system and a fully digital instrument cluster. Hyundai may also offer its Pleos Connect infotainment system with the car.
The next-generation i20 is expected to come with premium features such as seat ventilation, automatic climate control, an electric sunroof, a three-spoke steering wheel, cruise control, rear AC vents, and physical buttons for key controls.
The next-generation i20 is likely to continue with the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and the sportier 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Hyundai is also said to be working on a new 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine, which might make its debut in the Bayon-based crossover in India. This engine is hybrid-ready, and we may even see a strong-hybrid version of the i20 in the future.
As for the launch, the i20 is a premium hatchback and is expected to be unveiled globally later this year, while the official launch could happen next year. It may also come to India in the coming years, as it is expected to be part of the 26 launches that Hyundai has promised for the Indian market under its revised strategy.