Hyundai i20 to Get into the Indian Market in the First Quarter of 2009?

In my earlier entry, I wrote that Hyundai i20 will launched in Indian market on 8 November 2008. Well, just after uploading the post, I came across an article in internet that claims Hyundai i20’s launch in Indian market might be delayed and rescheduled to the first quarter of 2009. The report published in Car Trade in India website says that they have got to know from a reliable source of Hyundai that the proposed November 8 release for Hyundai i20 in Indian market might be rescheduled to early next year. However, as nothing is officially announced yet, I think, it is better to stick to November 8 as the launching date for Hyundai i20 in the Indian car market.

Hyundai i20 is a five-door hatchback car that has been launched in the Paris Motor Show last month. Hyundai i20 is a model in between i10 and i30. Hyundai i10 saw huge success in Indian market. Now, many people in India are waiting for the release of Hyundai i20. The passenger car features more space and flexible seating system than the model like Hyundai Getz. Designed by Hyundai’s European Car Design Centre in Russelsheim, Germany, Hyundai i20 follows European standard of style and ride. The car will be manufactured in Hyundai’s Chennai manufacturing facility at Sriperumbudu.

Car users can choose between petrol engine and diesel engine as Hyundai i20 offers both petrol and diesel versions. New 1.2-litre petrol engine will be available for those who want to use petrol version of Hyundai i20, while a new 1.4-litre CRTD plus a 1.6-litre engines are for those who prefers diesel engines. Hyundai i20 will compete with Maruti Swift in Segment B. The price of the car has not been revealed officially, but it could be in the range of Rs. 5.5 lakh and above. However, nothing is confirmed yet about the price of the car. Hyundai will launch a 3-door variant of i20 early 2009 for the European market.