- Hyundai is developing a new entry-level hatchback which, it is rumoured, will revive the Santro moniker.
- This is an exclusive digital rendering of what we think the new Santro will look like.
Hyundai’s most awaited little hatch (codenamed AH2) will, supposedly, resurrect the iconic Santro name. It is expected to break cover this upcoming festive season either in the month of September or October. Here we have an exclusive digital rendering of the new Santro based on the various sightings of the prototype being tested in India.
The Santro will be a spiritual successor to the i10 and will go up against the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, Renault Kwid and Tata Tiago. We know now that it will carry the same design language as the new crop of Hyundai models. So there will be the Cascading grille upfront similar to the one on the Xcent, and Grand i10. The headlights will get a stylish design but won’t differ much from the family motif. The images of the test mules suggest that Santro may be adopting a tall-boy stance. The tall boy stance will be an important aspect of the new hatch since the strongest selling point of the Kwid is its crossover-like stance. Even the Wagon R’s tall boy look has been its special feature all this time. Being a Hyundai product, other elements like the LED DRLs, stylish alloy wheels, smart bumper design and LED tail lights will also be present in the top-spec variant.
In keeping with Hyundai’s tradition, the cabin will be feature-laden as well. The interior is likely to have a dual-tone layout with features like steering mounted control, centre infotainment system and a few standard safety features like airbags and ABS. The Santro is expected to use a new platform and might only be available in petrol engine option. Hyundai commenced the production of a new four-cylinder petrol engine at the Chennai plant recently and this might be the motor which will power the new hatchback. Hyundai might also introduce an AMT transmission to add to the value proposition.
The new Santro is an important car for Hyundai since it will be a volume generator in the entry-level segment. Concrete details are scarce at the moment and the Korean carmaker has remained tight-lipped about the upcoming Santro. We’ll have to wait for official announcement from Hyundai for more information. Until then, stay tuned to CarWale.
Rendering by - Kaustubh Gandhi.
