Hyundai will launch a facelifted version of the Xcent compact sedan for the Indian market on April 20. This is a mid-life update for the Xcent and arrives a few months after its hatchback sibling, the Grand i10 was updated for India.
The changes to the Xcent will be along the lines of what we saw on the Grand i10. This means that it will get a revised face and a new design for the alloy wheels. More importantly, Hyundai is expected to revise the design of the rear section which was a point of contention in terms of design in the current car. The layout and design of the cabin is expected to stay the same but will now have the addition of a touchscreen infotainment system, fully automatic climate control and cup holders for the rear arm rest.
However, the biggest change will be that the Xcent will now be powered by the new 1.2-litre diesel mill (found in the Grand i10) which produces 74bhp/190Nm of torque with power going to the front wheels via a five-speed manual. The petrol engine is of course the 1.2-litre four-cylinder unit producing 81bhp/114Nm. The engine can be had with a five-speed manual or a four-speed AT.
When launched the facelifted Xcent will compete with the likes of the Honda Amaze, Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, Ford Aspire, Volkswagen Ameo as well as the Tata Tigor. We believe that Hyundai will price the Xcent facelift marginally higher than the outgoing model in a bid to keep it competitive in the market.
