Hyundai unveils the 2015 i20 Coupe
Months after the first teaser image, Hyundai has unveiled the three-door version of its new generation i20. Despite sharing its platform with the standard i20, the next-generation Coupe comes with more sharply raked pillars to provide a purposeful look. The A-, B-, and C-pillars are more rounded to incorporate the coupe design, and Hyundai claims the sloping roofline is 25mm lower than its five-door hatch sibling. Visual changes in comparison to the five-door version are more profound at front. The three-door version gets a large reverse hexagonal front grille and a tweaked front bumper to incorporate the new grille. At the rear, the tail lamps are large and the bumper has been tweaked to add extra lights, while a roof spoiler adds sportiness to the rear. Hyundai designers have done a brilliant job in giving the coupe a distinctive character. Other changes are 17-inch alloy wheels and a Tangerine Orange exterior paint that can be matched with an orange interior.
Despite the lowered roof-line, Hyundai claims the i20 Coupe has a boot capacity of 336-litres, which is 10-litre bump over the five-door version. It can also be equipped with features like a heated steering wheel, automatic-windscreen-defog or the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS).
Two diesel and two petrol mills are on offer. The petrol engine options are the 1.25-litre Kappa with 83bhp, and the newly developed 99bhp 1.4-litre Kappa. A 1.1-litre with 74bhp and a 1.4-litre with 89bhp, from the U-II diesel family will complete the engine line up. Engines are mated to a choice of five- and six-speed manuals, whereas the 1.4 Kappa engine is also available with a four-speed automatic transmission. A newly developed 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine will be introduced in 2015. Hyundai claims, this new Kappa 1.0-litre T-GDI offers enhanced performance and efficiency. The turbo-petrol has two states of tune; a 99bhp version aimed at fuel efficiency, and a high-power 118bhp for enthusiasts.
The Hyundai i20 Coupe will go on sale in March or April next year in international markets. Sadly, Hyundai India doesn’t have any plans to bring the three-door i20 to India.
