The Ford Ecosport is still one among the best compact SUVs in India despite being the oldest. It offers lot of standard features from the entry level Variant itself, including an audio system. The Trend variant onwards get a 9” touchscreen system. However only the Sports variant with 8” touchscreen gets Android auto/Apple carplay and SYNC 3 compatibility. The Trend, Titanium and the Titanium plus get a Fly audio system with (Windows) WINCE OS.

However now, the Ecosport Trend, Titanium , Titanium plus and the Thunder Variants will get an updated touchscreen system with Android OS. The infotainment system in the

Trend, Thunder, Titanium and Titanium+ variants of the Ford EcoSport will now run on Android operating system.

This new features will be available from the following Vin Cut-off for the EcoSport Models.

• Titanium + ,Trend ,Trend+: LE43575
• Titanium : LE42288

Being Android based, the infotainment unit will now include Wi-Fi features like Over the Air (OTA) updates, enabling customers to upgrade the system software on their own. It will also provide live traffic updates for Offline MMI maps and conference call functionality enabling to speak with up to 3 individuals at a time.

The Trend, Titanium, Titanium plus and Sports variants manufactured in August 2020 onwards will get this upgrade. However, existing vehicles with Windows based Fly Audio cannot be converted to the Android based OS due to difference of hardware compatibility.

Hyundai India will be launching the new i20 premium hatchback in the coming weeks. Prior to its launch, the new premium hatchback has started to arrive at dealerships. There are few visible changes to the India spec i20 as compared to the European one. The i20 has been one among their best selling products and still is one among the most feature loaded hatchbacks in its category. This here is a quick walkthrough on the highlights of the new generation Hyundai i20.

Exterior:

       The new Hyundai i20, sports a completely different design language. On the front fascia, it features a new and

larger hexagonal cascading grille with a more swooping bonnet and angular headlamps. The headlamps will feature LED lighting on the top spec trims along with DRLs. Lower variants will get Projector units. Projector fog lamps are also expected to be offered. The new i20 will be longer and wider than the current model. The sides have sharp, dynamic creases lending the car a more dynamic profile. The window line features Chrome detailing which flows from the A pillar to the top of the C pillar whereas the snazzy Z-shaped LED Tail lamps are connected by a chrome bar running across the width on the Asta(O) variant. The new i20 will also receive unique looking 16” alloy wheels on the top spec variants.

Interior:

       The new Hyundai i20's interior features a fresh and clean layout with a wraparound layered design. The interior sports a flowing cockpit theme while being loaded with features. There are 7 slats running across the width of the dashboard, connecting all four AC vents. All Variants will feature an all black theme with few silver accents.

Variants:

       The new i20 will be offered in four variants:

• Magna

• Sportz

• Asta

• Asta(o)

 Here's an extensive list of features on the top spec Asta(O) variants of the new i20:

• 10.25” touchscreen system

• Blue link connectivity

• Fully digital instrument cluster

• Automatic climate control

• Air purifier system

• Ambient lighting

• Leather upholstery

• Split folding rear seats

• Electric sunroof

• Auto LED headlamps

• Cruise control

The new i20 will also offer more safety features:

• Pretensioner seatbelts

• 6 airbags

• ABS with EBD

• ESP with traction control

• Hill hold control

• ISOFIX child seat mounts

• Smart key access

• Geofencing & tracking

Powertrains:

       The new i20 is will be available with two petrol engine options and one diesel engine. The standard 1.2L 4 cyl Kappa petrol engine will produce 83PS Power through either a 5 Speed manual transmission or a CVT. The 1.0L 3 cyl turbo petrol powertrain is expected to be carried over from the Venue Turbo producing a maximum output of 120PS through either a 6 speed IMT gearbox or a 7 speed DCT. The 1.5L turbo diesel engine from the Venue is also expected to be on offer producing 100PS Power through a 6 speed manual transmission.

The 1.2L petrol will be available on all Variants with only the Sportz and the Asta variant getting a CVT option.

The 1.0L turbo petrol will be available on the Sportz, Asta and Asta(O) Variants. However, a 6 speed iMT gearbox will be available on the Sportz and Asta whereas the 7 speed DCT will be available only on the Asta and Asta (O) Variants. This means the Sportz variant will get only an iMT and the Asta(O) gets only the DCT.

The 1.5L diesel will be available on the Magna, Sportz and the Asta(O) variants with only a manual gearbox.

Launch & price:

       The all-new i20 will be launched on the 5th of November and will go up against the new Tata Altroz, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the new facelifted Honda Jazz and Toyota’s Glanza. Prices are expected to be around ?20000 to ?50000 higher than the current gen model which it will replace.

However, the case is different for Volkswagen’s Polo GT TSI. It is fast like a hot hatch should be, it has an automatic transmission, it is comfortable and it is also very expensive for a hatchback. Yet, people have surprisingly opted it over many other options as it isn’t a rare sight to spot one on the road.

The older model of the Polo GT TSI had a 1.2 litre inline 4 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produced 105 bhp and 175 NM of torque, mated to its popular quick shifting 7- Speed Dual Clutch transmission. However, the BS6 version of

the GT TSI has a 1.0 litre three cylinder engine producing 110 bhp and 175 NM of torque. But, it is now mated to a 6- speed torque converter transmission.

Only time will tell whether the absence of the DSG gearbox has made a significant difference to the GT TSI’s charm. However, the 1.0 engine could fetch more mileage than ARAI’s claimed 17.21 kmpl figure of the BS4 GT TSI.       

The BS6 Polo GT TSI is priced at Rs. 9.60 Lakhs (Ex- showroom) which is around 1.6 Lakhs more than that Standard variant of the VW Polo and around Rs. 50000 more than the Polo Highline Plus automatic.

The new avatar however is better as the VW Polo GT TSI gets a larger rear spoiler, a blackened roof, Black side mirrors and GT badges at the front and rear. But is the GT variant that much better than the Highline Plus variant? And is the new GT TSI all that better with the new engine and gearbox? We’ll surely let you know once we get our hands on one!