Published : 03 January 2022
Read Time : 5 min
Author: Amit Saraswat
According to a new report, Hyundai have approved internal funding for an entry-level micro SUV codenamed Ai3. It is expected to make its debut in the market by 2023 and will be positioned below the Venue. The upcoming micro SUV from Hyundai could be based on the heavily-localised platform of the Casper. That will help to keep the costs in check and could also mean some alterations in the dimensions. On the powertrain front, it may pack a 1.1L petrol engine and a 1.2L petrol engine.
Hyundai Ai3 - Will It Rival The Punch?
In one of our previous stories, we broke that the Casper, if Hyundai launch, would not take on the Tata Punch. While we have multiple reasons to support the statement, the obvious ones being that the Casper is even smaller than the Santro, which is around 90mm smaller than the Ignis and the Ignis is another 100mm smaller than the Tiago NRG. As we all know, the Tiago NRG sits below the Punch and clearly, the Punch is a bigger product than all other rivals. Hence, it seems apparent that the Casper-based micro SUV won’t rival the Punch unless receiving some major size bump.
Also Read: Hyundai Casper coming to India Or Not rivals
With the Casper-based micro SUV, Hyundai are aiming to grab a share in the segment of the affordable SUV segment. We can expect the car to have dimensions comparable with the Ignis while the features and price tag may put it in the ring with the Tata Punch. In the overseas market, the Casper comes with two engine options - 1.0L normal and 1.0L turbo petrol. However, Hyundai may stick with Santro’s 1.1L and i10’s 1.2L for cost measures.