A thriller Hyundai SUV has been noticed testing on Indian roads for the primary time, sparking contemporary hypothesis about Hyundai’s future product technique for the booming compact SUV area. The camouflaged take a look at mules had been seen earlier at this time in Mumbai, shifting in metropolis site visitors as a three-car convoy, and have been independently captured by MotorBeam, Autocar India and us.
Upright, boxy design with Ioniq-style lighting
As per observations from the spy pictures, the unidentified Hyundai SUV options:
– An upright stance and boxy proportions
– Slim, dotted LED tail-lamps impressed by Hyundai Ioniq 5
– Flat tailgate with a chunky rear bumper
– Flared wheel arches with plastic cladding
– Flush-fitting door handles
– Black roof rails and shark-fin antenna
– Funky roof spoiler with built-in cease lamp
– Entrance will get related LED DRL
– Entrance headlamp positioned on decrease bumper
The take a look at car was seen working on thick-profile MRF tyres and what look like 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, hinting at a comfort-focused, city SUV slightly than a hardcore off-roader.
Inside and tech cues
Whereas inside photos weren’t captured, on-ground inputs counsel the SUV will get:
– A big digital instrument cluster
– A touchscreen infotainment system, each estimated to be round 10 inches
– 360-degree digicam {hardware}, inferred from mirror-mounted sensors
These options already place the thriller SUV above entry-level choices when it comes to expertise.
ICE or EV? Nonetheless unclear, however indicators level to ICE
Automotive fanatic Sidk, who noticed the convoy claims to have clearly seen a tailpipe with some liquid dripping from it, strongly suggesting that that is an inner combustion engine car. Including to this, he additionally talked about that the SUV gave the impression to be roughly the scale of Tata Punch, putting it firmly within the micro SUV / sub-4m SUV class. He noticed the SUV at this time in Mumbai close to dockyard.
One other Punch rival from Hyundai?
This raises an fascinating query. Hyundai already has a Punch rival within the type of the Hyundai Exter. Whereas Exter has discovered respectable traction out there, its gross sales are considerably decrease than the phase chief, Tata Punch, which continues to dominate the charts.
With the micro SUV phase booming and Punch persistently posting sturdy month-to-month volumes, it’s completely believable that Hyundai is exploring a second, extra rugged or extra SUV-focused product to higher problem Tata’s bestseller. The boxy stance, flatter surfaces and extra “muscular” proportions of the spied SUV assist this concept.
Or Hyundai’s made-for-India small EV?
There’s additionally one other angle. Hyundai had earlier teased a ‘muscular SUV with off-road capabilities’ in its investor presentation final yr, alongside plans for a made-for-India small electrical SUV scheduled for launch someday subsequent yr. Some design cues, particularly the Ioniq 5-inspired lighting, might level towards an EV lineage.
Nevertheless, if the presence of a tailpipe is confirmed, this explicit take a look at mule is extra prone to be ICE-powered, or a minimum of an early mule of a platform that might ultimately spawn each ICE and EV derivatives.
What’s clear up to now
– This seems to be an all-new Hyundai SUV, not a facelift or by-product of an present mannequin
– It has not been spied wherever else globally, suggesting an India-first or India-specific product
– Section positioning factors towards a micro SUV / sub-4m SUV
– Powertrain particulars stay unclear, although ICE appears extra doubtless at this stage
For now, Hyundai is preserving its playing cards near its chest. However with a number of take a look at mules already working on public roads, extra readability is predicted within the coming months. Whether or not this seems to be a second Punch rival, a brand new rugged Exter different, or a part of Hyundai’s future EV roadmap, one factor is for certain — Hyundai is much from executed in India’s hottest SUV phase.
