Hyundai's Ai3 SUV set to launch in India

After launching the new Verna in India, Hyundai has turned its attention to its next major release, the Ai3 SUV designed specifically for the Indian market. Although the vehicle has already been spotted in South Korea, a recent spy shot has revealed its presence on Indian soil for the first time, providing further insight into the upcoming sub-Venue SUV from Hyundai.

New spy shot of Hyundai's Ai3 SUV reveals fresh details ahead of India launch

According to a recent spy shot, it appears that the Indian version of the Hyundai Ai3 SUV will have significant differences from the Casper SUV sold in other countries. This SUV is intended to counterpart to the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and will be the smallest SUV offered by Hyundai in the Indian market. Sources suggest that the production of this SUV was approved shortly before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The upcoming sub-Venue SUV from Hyundai for the Indian market will adopt the brand's latest SUV design language, featuring a boxy yet upright appearance. It will differ significantly from Casper and have distinct body panel designs.

The micro-SUV will feature a split-headlamp setup with LED daytime running lamps placed above a square-shaped headlamp, similar to the design of the Venue. The daytime running lamps will have an 'H' pattern, which may become a signature look for Hyundai's future products. This pattern was also spotted on the forthcoming Santa Fe SUV test models.

The spy shot reveals that the Hyundai Ai3 SUV will have an upright appearance with tall front fenders, a front door, and a vertical glass area. The tail lamps are expected to have a more angular design, distinguishing them from the rounded Casper. The rear bumper may also have a distinct appearance. The Ai3 is estimated to be around 3.8 meters long, making it slightly smaller than the Venue. To stay ahead of direct competitors like the Punch and the C3, Hyundai is likely to include features such as a sunroof, as observed in the spy pictures.

Details regarding the platform of the Hyundai Ai3 SUV

The upcoming micro-SUV from Hyundai will share the same platform as the updated Grand i10 Nios and the Aura compact sedan duo. It is also anticipated that the wheelbase of the new SUV will be similar, if not identical, to these two models.

Launch Details of Hyundai A13

Hyundai has recently introduced updates to its Grand i10 Nios and Aura models, with the all-new Verna also recently launched, along with updated versions of the Alcazar. More updates are expected to follow for the Hyundai range in India this year.

The launch of the Ai3 SUV is anticipated to take place during the upcoming festive season, which is likely to be around September-October 2023. Production of the new SUV is expected to commence in India during the July-September quarter of this year.

Hyundai's Ai3 SUV to feature unique powertrain and positioning in Indian market

The upcoming AI3 SUV from Hyundai is set to be positioned between the Grand i10 and the Venue in the Indian market, overlapping with certain variants of the Grand i10 Nios and the Venue. It is expected to feature the same 1.2-liter petrol engine as the Venue, Grand i10, and Aura, while the inclusion of a CNG variant remains undecided. However, there will be no diesel engine option available for this micro SUV.