Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is planning to launch a diesel version of its premium hatchback, the i20, by the end of this year. A diesel variant of the i20, with a 1.6 litre engine, is already available in European markets. Hyundai, however, has not introduced it in India yet. The car’s petrol version available in India comes with a 1.2 litre engine.
Senior Vice President HMIL, Mr. Arvind Saxena, said on the occasion of the company’s tie-up with Punjab National Bank this week that the i20 diesel would be launched in the domestic market this year. The engine size of the car is yet to be finalized.
Car companies in India have to pay a lower excise duty on compact cars as compared to the duty on bigger cars. Hyundai, then, would like to keep the diesel version of the i20 in the compact car segment. The engine capacity of the i20 diesel in India is thus expected to be lower than that of its European counterpart, possibly 1.4 or 1.5 litres.