[JayPrashanth]

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South Korean car maker Hyundai doesn't have a presence in two hot segments that are delivering big volumes for car makers, the compact SUV and the MPV segments. All this is set to change by 2015, by when the car maker will launch not one but two new products in the form of a compact SUV and an MPV. Both these products will share the same platform and in a sign of things to come, a heavily camouflaged Hyundai compact SUV has been spotted in South Korea.



This car could be one of Hyundai's new products lined up for India over the next couple of years. The Storm Edge design philosophy (Hyundai's design direction for its SUVs), first seen on the 2013 Santa Fe, is what the 2015 compact SUV could also use. A variation of the Fluidic design philosophy, the Storm Edge design adopts butch lines for a more imposing appearance. The compact SUV is expected to take on the likes of the Ford EcoSport and the Renault Duster.



Like most of Hyundai's products, the 2015 compact SUV could be a global product aimed at car markets across the globe. Both petrol and turbo diesel engine options are expected to be offered on the compact SUV. Hyundai is setting up a flexible engine plant at its Sriperumbudur manufacturing facility at Chennai. The engine making plant will be capable of churning out 300,000 engines a year, with the capability to produce both petrol and diesel engines, in tune with market demand.



Locally manufactured engines could result in more competitively priced Hyundai cars given the fact that the diesel engines of Hyundai cars currently sold in India are imported from South Korea. From the spyshots, a five seat layout could be on offer on the SUV, while the MPV will have an additional seat to make for a six seat layout. More details about these products are expected to be revealed in the coming months even as the first spyshots of the SUV have begun appearing on the interweb.



The Hyundai compact SUV and the new MPV represent two of the four new products that the South Korean car maker will launch in the Indian car market. The two other products will be the next generation 2014 Hyundai i10 (scheduled to be launched during this year's festive season) and the 2014 i10-based compact sedan (due for a launch in 2014). While the 2014 i10 will replace its namesake globally, a different strategy is expected to be in place for the Indian car market. In India, the 2014 i10 will be positioned between the current generation i10 and i20 car models. The compact sedan based on the 2014 i10 is expected to sit alongside the i20 hatchback.

Spyshots courtesy Blog.Naver

[AyAn!]

Initial impressions regarding the volume are good. This will be a good looking car. Hints of Mini Countryman and Evoque elements, but that's what Hyundai's best at.

[amtak]

Could this be the Hyundai version of Soul? It looks like one to me.

http://www.google.co.in/imgres?imgur...QEwAQ&dur=1919

[sajusherief]

Hyundai is very good in camouflaging their test mules. Look at the way they have put extra claddings to avoid cover getting sticked to the body

[ACM]

Considering the current Verna and i20 pricing this will surely go further northward of the EcoSports projected pricing and be possibly higher than the duster even (with most likely better interiors and features as well.)

So we are looking at close to the XUV pricing (between Duster and XUV) for the Mini / Mid Sized SUV version. Lots of features is a given for a Hyundai product.

The New Santa Fe looks / style should be good - A bit like the Outlander though then?

[AyAn!]

Originally Posted by amtak

Could this be the Hyundai version of Soul? It looks like one to me.

Nope, the glasshouse is definitely inspired from the Soul, but there are the distinct differences C-pillar onwards. And Hyundai would never badge a Kia as itself, again, both the mother brand and it's sub brand have their fair share of differences in styling and character.

[amtak]

Originally Posted by AyAn!

Nope, the glasshouse is definitely inspired from the Soul, but there are the distinct differences C-pillar onwards. And Hyundai would never badge a Kia as itself, again both have their fair share of differences in styling and character.

Hey Ayan,

I too noticed a different C pillar (kinda reversed here). while I agree with your point, IMHO, a KIA looks better than the Hyundai any day - more sporty than Fluidic

[baludharmarajan]

We can only hope this would be released make its way to India.

The body type closely resembles new generation Santa Fe released in UK.

[rajshenoy]

Originally Posted by ACM

Considering the current Verna and i20 pricing this will surely go further northward of the EcoSports projected pricing and be possibly higher than the duster even (with most likely better interiors and features as well.)

So we are looking at close to the XUV pricing (between Duster and XUV) for the Mini / Mid Sized SUV version. Lots of features is a given for a Hyundai product.

The New Santa Fe looks / style should be good - A bit like the Outlander though then?

Hyundai cars have been typically more premium hence more costly in any segment. I dont know if this is justified because across the globe, hyundai products are known to be VFM but in India they have been a premium brand keeping their margins healthy.

I expected them to enter this market much earlier. Being second biggest company in India with great service network, they are still late.

[nik_kapur]

This looks like a car based on the Kia Soul for sure. They must have added a lot of fluidic to the original design. Lots of inspiration from the Evoque one notices.

[revv_maniac]

This looks more like a Dzire's side profile. Are you sure this is a Hyundai's product ?
If its gonna be Hyundai then it will follow fluidic style. their C pillar are very different than what is shown. Could it be Maruti's baby SUV X-Alpha ?

[vaas2000]

Originally Posted by revv_maniac

This looks more like a Dzire's side profile. Are you sure this is a Hyundai's product ?
If its gonna be Hyundai then it will follow fluidic style. their C pillar are very different than what is shown. Could it be Maruti's baby SUV X-Alpha ?

The logo which is covered in front grill looks similar to Kia's logo in the pic that i have posted. The C pillar matches with pic as well. I think they are cooking something with Kia model and making it hyundaish for India Will try to get more pics of the Kia in manila so the rear/sides can be matched.
Local Kia websites show two current models, the one i had posted seems to be earlier model, will try to verify

http://www.kia.com/ph/MODELS/SUVMPV/...rior/index.htm

http://www.kia.com/ph/MODELS/SUVMPV/...rior/index.htm

[AyAn!]

Originally Posted by revv_maniac

This looks more like a Dzire's side profile. Are you sure this is a Hyundai's product ?

Seriously?

Originally Posted by revv_maniac

If its gonna be Hyundai then it will follow fluidic style. their C pillar are very different than what is shown. Could it be Maruti's baby SUV X-Alpha ?

Why would Maruti test their X-Alpha prototype in Korea of all places?

Regarding the styling, here, have a nice read below:-

Originally Posted by JayPrashanth

The Storm Edge design philosophy (Hyundai's design direction for its SUVs), first seen on the 2013 Santa Fe, is what the 2015 compact SUV could also use. A variation of the Fluidic design philosophy, the Storm Edge design adopts butch lines for a more imposing appearance.

Originally Posted by vaas2000

The logo which is covered in front grill looks similar to Kia's logo in the pic that i have posted. The C pillar matches with pic as well. I think they are cooking something with Kia model and making it hyundaish for India

It's not safe to assume that it's a Kia just because the glasshouse resembles the Soul. I could argue that it resembles the Veloster's as well.

[sajands]

I hope this SUV is based on the Kia Sportage platform as the sportage is an good SUV and fifth gear were all praises for it.

-Sajan

[Sanjunair5]

If this is related or based on Kia Soul (I have to admit it does look like a close cousin of Soul) then why is it a 2015 launch? Shouldn't it be more immediate launch? Soul is already in production and this appears to be pretty much production ready.