2018 Hyundai Santro: Five things to know before tomorrow's launch

Tuhin Guha Updated: August 16, 2019, 03:19 PM IST

The new Hyundai Santro is set to be launched tomorrow in India. The entry-level hatchback is one of most anticipated car launches this year. Here's why:

Positioning

The new Santro will fill a big hole in Hyundai's India line-up. The Korean carmaker made a name for itself with the original Santro 20 years back, but has since steadily moved upmarket. Even the i10 and Grand i10 have moved steadily upmarket, leaving space for an entry-level, family hatchback. Sure, the Eon fills this brief, but that car never really caught the imagination of the Indian car buyer like Hyundai had hoped. The Santro is expected to be priced between the Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh, pitting it against cars like Maruti Celerio and Tata Tiago.

Styling and Safety

It's a really well thought of design and the styling and looks will appeal to most, if not all. There nothing not to like in the design and most people will find it to be trendy and cute looking.

The new Santro's profile and the curvature below the front and rear glass also do a good job of concealing the fact that it is a tall boy design. The huge glass area also makes the interiors feel more spacious and the sense of airiness is most welcome. The front fascia is especially a refreshing break from the norm, with the large cascading grille and prominent fog lamps.

Interiors and safety

One of the first things we noticed in our first impressions is how spacious the car is. The leg and knee room, shoulder room and headroom all appear to be class leading. Actually, the headroom must not only be the best in this segment but is actually better than that available in some mid-size sedans.

The new Santro will be fully loaded in term of features. The most striking feature of the interior is the large touchscreen which dominates the centre console, there is a high-mounted gear-lever like in most Hyundai small cars, rear AC vents will also be a segment first feature on the new Santro. A notable design element is the large circular side-AC vents and body colour-coordinated cabin accents.

The Santro gets ABS and driver side airbag as a standard fit. Higher trims will offer a front passenger airbag too. The range-topping Asta trim will also get a reversing camera.

Drivetrain and Chassis

The new Santro will be available with a host of drivetrain options to cater to most requests in the entry hatch category. The all-new Santro is to be powered by a 1.1l four-cylinder petrol engine that produces about 69PS of power at 5,500rpm and 99Nm of torque at 4,500rpm. Hyundai will also offer a factory-fit CNG option with this engine, albeit with a 59PS/84Nm tune.

Mated to this will be a five-speed manual and also, for the first time in a Hyundai, an AMT. Hyundai claims a top speed of 150kmph and is claiming a fuel economy of 20.3kmpl for this engine. The car is based on an all-new platform while suspension duties are handled by a McPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear. The top trim gets 14-inch steel rims shod with 165/70-R14 medium compound tyres from Hankook.

Nostalgia

Hyundai India has made an inspired move bringing back the Santro nameplate. The company's first model in the country is well-remember and set up Hyundai, a relative unknown in the car world up until them, to become India's second-biggest carmaker.

Buyers liked the original from 20 years ago because of its value, space, modern styling and will expect the same from the new one.