Has Hyundai decided to launch the Ai3 seeing the initial success of the Tata Punch?
Hyundai is all set to introduce a rival to the Tata Punch come 2023. Called the Ai3 for now, the new compact crossover should help the brand retain its top position in the Indian SUV market.
The Korean carmaker has internally approved funding for an entry-level crossover which will sit below the Venue compact SUV in India.
While no details are available about the Hyundai Ai3, it could be an Indianized version of the Casper that was revealed for the Korean market in September last year.
Measuring 3595 mm long, 1595 mm wide, 1575 mm tall and having a wheelbase of 2400 mm, the Casper comes with a practical cabin with seating for 4 adults.
It comes equipped with LED headlamps and taillights, a sunroof, digital instrument cluster, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, 3 drive modes, 7 airbags and driver-assistance systems.
The car can be had with 2 petrol engine choices – a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder naturally aspirated unit (75 HP and 95 Nm) and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 100 HP -, 6 exterior colour options and 3 interior themes.
Like the Casper, the Hyundai Ai3 should also be based on the K1 platform, the same as the Santro, and will bring in more volumes to the brand.
Having sold close to 2.5 lakh SUVs last year, the Korean carmaker will, in 2022, introduce the Ioniq 5 electric SUV, the new generation Tucson and the facelifted Creta, among others.
Sitting on about 1 lakh pending bookings, Hyundai it is eyeing another year of double digit growth in 2022 and has guided vendors with a production plan of 7.3 lakh units for this year, a 20 percent growth over 2021.
