Rumour: Hyundai Elite i20 AT to launch during festive season

Hyundai is reportedly planning to launch the Elite i20 automatic in the next couple of months - around this year's festive season. The company is taking this step after seeing the rising demand for automatic hatchbacks in the country.

The earlier-gen i20 used to come with a 1.4-litre petrol engine that was mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox. But when the new-gen model was launched in 2014, Hyundai strangely decided to drop the automatic model from its line-up. What makes an automatic variant so important for the Elite i20 is the fact that both of its chief competitors, the Maruti Baleno and the Honda Jazz, come with a CVT option.

It remains to be seen whether Hyundai carries forward the combination of the 1.2-litre petrol engine and 4-speed AT from the Grand i10, or plonks the export-spec 1.4-litre petrol with a 6-speed AT in the car.

The Korean automaker has made it clear that it isn't considering the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) option for any of its products in the Indian market, despite the technology's rising popularity.

Source: ZigWheels