Facelifted Ford Fiesta & updated Hyundai Verna in the works?

India's best selling C-segment sedan, the Hyundai Verna Fluidic, could get a bunch of updates in the coming months while the dud-selling new Ford Fiesta might get a mid life makeover early next year. According to AutocarIndia, the 2013 Verna is expected to get back-lit power window switches across the model range while the top end models will also get back-lit switches on the steering mounted audio controls. 

Other speculated changes on the updated Verna Fluidic include restyled alloy wheels on the top end variants, with steel wheels replacing the spare alloy wheel. Another cost cutting measure could be the change in the number of head rests on the rear seat. The three head rest layout on the rear seat is expected be replaced by a twin head rest layout. Also, LED day time running lights, similar to those added on the Hyundai i20 hatchback, could make their way onto the updated Verna. 

The Verna is available in 10 variants, spread across 4 engines and 2 transmission options. The base petrol and turbo diesel variants get 1.4 liter engines. While the 1.4 liter diesel engine gets a 6 speed manual gearbox, the 1.4 liter petrol engine is mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox. The top end petrol and diesel engines displace 1.6 liters, and get 5 speed and 6 speed manual gearboxes respectively. A 4 speed automatic gearbox is available as an option on the 1.6 liter petrol and diesel engines. 

Coming to the facelifted Ford Fiesta, the car is expected to be launched in early 2014. The facelifted model gets a revised front end, with new headlamps, grille, bonnet and front bumper. The rear of the car gets wider tail lamps. Internationally, the car also comes with slightly refreshed interiors with a piano black finish, which replaces the satin finish on the dashboard. Ford India is expected to continue selling the Fiesta with the 1.5 liter Ti-VCT petrol engine and the 1.5 liter TDCI turbo diesel motor. 

Both engines get a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard while the petrol engined model can be specified with a 6 speed, dual clutch automatic gearbox. AutocarIndia suggests that the facelifted Fiesta sedan to be sold in India could come with a higher degree of localization. So, Ford India could be targeting a more competitive price tag for the facelifted Fiesta, even as the current version's price has already seen a correction along with a variant rejig.