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.

The Nissan Magnite, was revealed as a concept a few weeks ago. This new compact SUV is going to be the Make-it or Break-it product for Nissan India. Nissan has released a new teaser video of the testing prototype of the compact SUV. Here are some observations based on the teaser video.

Exterior

The production-spec Nissan Magnite seems to retain most of the concept’s design elements including the large grille, the Sharp creases and the funky alloy wheels. It has even the same sculpted bonnet and angular headlights. Since the Magnite was originally meant to be launched as a Datsun, the grille bears

resemblance to the other Datsun models.

The side profile looks muscular with prominent body cladding and large wheel arches which seem to dwarf the 16” wheels. The higher spec variants also seem to receive a dual-tone roof, blacked-out pillars and silver roof rails. At the back, the Magnite sports sharp looking LED tail lamps which resemble those on the Triber's, a clean tail gate and a dual tone bumper. The Magnite is also set to be the first model in India to sport the new Nissan logo.

Interior

The interior too is expected to be close to the concept with a large, centrally mounted 8” touchscreen and layered dashboard with an octagonal theme. Other expected features include:

• 4 airbags

• ABS with EBD

• Rear AC vents

• Push button start

• Digital instrument cluster

• Auto climate control

• Auto headlamps

• Auto wipers

• 360 degree camera

• Connected car tech

• Front and Rear seat armrests

• Auto folding ORVMs

• Projector headlamps

• LED DRLs

Powertrain

The Nissan Magnite is expected to be available with two engine options. The first will be the 1.0L Energy series, 3 cyl Naturally aspirated engine from the Renault Triber, producing 72PS Power through a 5 speed manual gearbox. The second powertrain will be a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol unit producing 95PS Power through either a 5 speed manual or CVT automatic gearbox.

Pricing and launch

The new Nissan Magnite will be launched by early 2021. However an unveil is expected to happen by October 21st. The Magnite is also likely to be priced very aggressively with expected starting price of Rs.5.5L ex showroom for the entry level non turbo variant. The fully loaded top spec variant is expected to be priced equivalent to the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, one of its chief rivals. When launched, the Magnite will go against the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Ford Ecosport, Mahindra XUV300 and the Honda WRV as well. Stay tuned for further updates on the Nissan Magnite.

Honda has revealed the new 2022 Honda Civic in prototype form, ahead of the official debut in 2021. The new Civic was unveiled on video game streaming site Twitch to establish a connect with a younger audience, which it believes is the target customer for the Civic. This 11th generation Honda Civic has completely transformed inside and out.

Exterior

The new Civic adapts Honda’s latest design language we have previewed on the Amaze and the new City. Honda has stuck with the wide and low stance the world has come to associate with the Civic, but instead

of the aggressive, sharp fascia and body creases, the new model gets cleaner surfacing and a more grown-up appearance.

The new model gets deep-set LED headlights with angular LED daytime running lights flanking the slim grille. The front bumper is dominated by a large radiator grille, flanked by C-shaped black accents for the air intakes.

On the sides, there’s a strong shoulder line that runs from the front fender all the way to the tail-lights, and the window line features a kink on the D-pillar similar to the latest generation Accord sold overseas. This prototype gets 19-inch black alloys with 235-section Pirelli Pilot Super Sport tyres as well.

Similar to the front, the rear too is much simpler. The new car recieves a subtle boot lip spoiler, wraparound LED tail-lights and gloss black surrounds for the exhaust tips.

The new Honda Civic is expected to remain similar in size to the current-gen Civic but have a slightly longer wheelbase. The new Civic is based on an upgraded version of the current Civic’s platform, which is now more rigid to improve driving dynamics, as well as to enhance occupant and pedestrian collision protection.

Interior

The new Civic adopts a cleaner, simpler and mature design language on the inside too, and carries forward some elements from the new City. A freestanding 9.0-inch touchscreen takes the pride of place on the rather minimalistic dashboard. The new Civic will also come with a full-digital instrument cluster. Another highlight will be a honeycomb mesh finish that wraps across the width of the dash and subtly incorporates the AC vents. The centre console appears free of buttons, and only houses three dials for the climate control system.

The new Civic will also feature an electronic parking brake switch, just beside the transmission selector.

The new Civic will also get a host of active and passive safety features, new airbag designs and driver assistance systems, atleast for foreign markets. Though engine and transmission details have not been revealed yet, we are expecting more exciting options with the new Civic as compared to the current generation model.

Launch and pricing

The new Honda Civic will first be showcased in its final production form by early 2021 in the USA, while a market launch is set to take place closer to the middle of 2021. However, going by the dull sales of the current generation model in India, the 11th generation model is not expected to arrive in India before the second half of 2022. When launched, the new Honda Civic will face competition from the new-generation Hyundai Elantra and the new Skoda Octavia.