The i20! Who isn’t familiar with this name? When it came out, it was one of the very few options that brought premium quality and luxury to the masses, while being practical and affordable.
It is a premium hatch, in the truest sense. It won over Indian hearts because of its value-for-money proposition, and completely dominated the Indian premium-hatchback segment. But, as of now, facing tremendous pressure from its rival, the Maruti-Suzuki Baleno, it plans to make a fresh release, more of a comeback, in its 2023 guise.
So, what’s new?
If we are to believe the images spotted in Korea, it’s just a minor refresh. The front seems to have a revised look with newly designed creases on it’s doors. This test mule as seen above, isn’t the top-spec model, as it has steel wheels and wheel caps and does not have blackened B and C pillars. Wheel covers do remind us of the outgoing model.
It is likely that this facelifted version will have an updated front fascia with a slightly redesigned grille, and headlights, and offer a sportier bumper. It might also have more aggressive LED DRLs. At the rear, it will have redesigned rear taillights, to create more aggression. This might resemble the LED taillights in the Venue. It is quite possible that the already feature-loaded i20 will have another first-in-segment feature, and that is ventilated seats. That is quite a necessity in the Indian heat.
Powertrain
Let us get to the juicy part then, the engines!
It seems that Hyundai will be offering us the same two petrol engines to us, unchanged. They are as follows-1. A 1.2 litre, naturally aspirated engine, the “Kappa” workhorse which we are quite familiar with, making 82 bhp and 115 Nm available with a 5-speed Manual transmission or a 5-speed CVT (Continously Variable Transmission) 2. A 1.0 litre Turbo-GDi engine, which is quite a steam-roller, kicking out 118 bhp and 172 Nm mated to a 6-speed iMT(Intellegent Manual transmission-clutchless manual) or a 7-speed DCT(Dual Clutch Transmission).
Unfortunately, for the diesel heads out there, I have some bad news, as the 1.5-liter diesel engine, which was quite a sweet engine, might get discontinued. Since diesel hatchbacks are losing popularity and emission norms are going to get more strict.
To conclude, the i20 facelifted version will hit the Indian shores somewhere in 2023.