Hyundai Elite i20-based crossover spied testing for the first time

It is raining crossovers and it seems that everyone wants to join the bandwagon in one of the hottest growing segments in the Indian market. The latest entrant is expected to be Hyundai whose ‘seen-for-the-first-time’ Elite i20-based crossover has been spotted testing outside Chennai. Ironically the pictures have arrived just a day before Fiat is all set to launch its own Punto Evo-based Avventura crossover.

The pictures reveal that the crossover will have a very similar appearance to the Elite i20 but gets the obvious added body cladding, taller wheels and higher ground clearance. It is expected to have the same interior, feature list and variant nomenclature. Another feature adding strength to the crossover image is aluminium roof rails.   

On the mechanical front, it is expected to make use of the 1.2-litre petrol, 1.4-litre petrol and the 1.4-litre diesel. They will be offered with a five-speed manual/four-speed AT for the petrol motors and six-speed manual for the diesel.

It is expected to be priced higher than the Elite i20 by at least Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000 and is likely to see an early 2015 launch. When launched, it will compete with the Etios Cross, Fiat Avventura and the VW Cross Polo.