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The development of the next-generation i10 and its production for Europe being shifted to Izmit in Turkey from Chennai, presented Hyundai Motor India (HMI) with an opportunity to populate the Indian small-car market even further. From the beginning, it planned for the next-gen i10 to be a stand-alone new model that would co-exist with the current i10 and the current i20.

What made the task easier was that the new i10 was to be based on a new platform, and for giving it a clear differentiation from the current i10, HMI decided that the Grand i10 would have a 200 mm longer wheelbase than the nextgen i10 for Europe. That apart, the other basic difference was to provide the rear passengers with more glass area and therefore Hyundai has made version of the contemporary, even more features i20 and offers with class-leading efficiency.

In a depressed unlike the next-gen i10, in which there is a kink in the rear window line after which the glass area edges upward quite like in the Eon but in a more pronounced manner - the bottom edge of the glass line towards the rear stays straight right till the end.

From the outside, the Grand echoes Hyundai's Fluidic Design philosophy, and unlike the current i10, now falls in line with the cars of this new family design much like the Eon, i20, Verna, Elantra and Sonata.

However, the majority of the changes are on the inside and under the hood. The Grand will come with two engines, the 1.2 Kappa petrol and Hyundai's 1.1 U2 CRDi diesel. While we all have experienced the kappa engine, wh ich will be mated to a manual and an automatic gearbox as well, the second generation of Hyundai's 1.1 diesel engine will make its appearance in India for the first time. Although no figures for the engine have been disclosed as yet, given its performance on some of the European cars, I expect the fuel efficiency of the Hyundai Grand i10 1.1 CRDi to be closer to 30kmpl. To drive, the engine felt smooth with decent amounts of torque and flexibility.

On the inside, two-tone interiors with electrically adjustable and folding rear view mirrors, a modern and good looking central console with climate control and a music system with 1GB inbuilt hard disc capacity will make their appearance on the Grand for the first time. Entry will be keyless and the car will be started by pushing a button. The glovebox will be cooled and the passengers in the rear, in addition to getting decent leg, head and shoulder space along with kneeroom will also get an AC vent between the front seats and the possibility to direct air both left and right at the same time. Boot space is also decent in depth though a bit shallow and with the rear parcel shelf removed will be able to accommodate a couple of medium suitcases plus some smaller bags.

The Grand will come with two engines, the 1.2 Kappa petrol and Hyundai's 1.1 U2 CRDi diesel

First opinion

Hyundai has made a spacious version of the i10 that looks contemporary, is loaded with even more features than the i20 and offers a diesel option with class-leading fuel efficiency.

In a depressed car market, the Grand has all what it takes to spur the buyer. Now the ball is back in Hyundai's court for the pricing and it will be interesting to see how the company positions the Grand in between the i10 and i20.