NEW DELHI: Hyundai’s new i20 Active is now on track for an official unveiling in the coming weeks. These new teaser sketches, although now somewhat redundant, offer a clean if predictably stylised look at the new light crossover.
As with Volkswagen’s CrossPolo and the larger Subaru XV, Hyundai’s new compact SUV is essentially the regular i20 on stilts.
A taller suspension package is the i20 Active’s the key feature, although Hyundai has also added rugged new cladding to the arches, along with new bumpers and skid plates at both ends.
The i20 Active is expected to be offered in India only, although Hyundai might also produce a version for Europe and, possibly, Australia.
It is more likely however that Hyundai will develop a new compact SUV designed specifically to western tastes, with unique youth-oriented models like the Nissan Juke in its sights.
Such a plan would make the recent Intrado concept an obvious go-to for the brand, although its styling would likely be toned down for any production debut.
For now, Hyundai’s only entrant in the hugely popular compact SUV segment is the Chinese-market ix25, which has already been ruled out for a wider launch.
