Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Hyundai aims for the Maruti Suzuki Swift with the Nios. Does it strike at the best seller?

- Sirish Chandran

Lose on the heels of the Venue, and in time for the festive season comes Hyundai’s big volume spinner, the Grand i10 Nios and this time it is targeted bang against the segment best seller, the Swift. Interestingly, the current Grand i10 continues in the Hyundai line-up, pared down to only two variants, and if you’re sniffing around for big discounts, the ₹70,000 off on the old car will spark your interest. Your correspondent, however, thinks it will create unnecessary confusion in the minds of buyers who’ve already shopped around and gone through a minimum of 10 other cars. Or, what do I know, Hyundai’s strategy might work and increase their overall share of the segment. As for the Nios, it has grown in size to now directly compete with the Swiftand, being a Hyundai, is loaded with features, making it very attractive. The powertrains include a 1.2-litre BS6 petrol and the 1.2-litre (BS4 compliant as of now) diesel, which will be shifted to BS6 by the year end. Both will get an optional AMT (Automated Manual Transmission).

A striking shape

India is the launch market for the Nios but this is a global car designed as much with European tastes in mind as with Indian requirements. Compared to the old Grand i10, the wheelbase is stretched by 25mm to a Swift-matching 2450mm. The overall length and width have grown to 3805mm and 1680mm, but the Swift is still the larger car. How closely the Nios has been benchmarked against the Swiftis also evident in the powertrains with the petrol displacing an identical 1197cc and making an identical 81.8bhp of power while the diesel also makes identical power and torque figures.