Hyundai to launch next-gen Verna on March 21; bookings open

The next-gen Hyundai Verna is set to launch in India on March 21. Earlier this week, the South Korean manufacturer released the first set of teasers of the new Verna, internally codenamed BN7i, and opened bookings at Rs 25,000.

Expected design
The teasers show that the upcoming Hyundai Verna sports a completely new design, with elements influenced by quite a few latest-gen Hyundai sedans. Up front, the next-gen Verna will get a split headlamp set-up and a full-width LED daytime running lamp. The grille also stretches the full width of the car and the inserts look similar to the ones in the Tucson’s grille. 

In profile, the teasers of the next-gen Verna show a sportier notchback design. Expect the doors and fenders to have many cuts and creases, similar to other Hyundai models sold abroad. At the back, the new Verna has a full-width LED light bar and crystal-like inserts in the tail-lamps.

Powertrain and variants
Another big addition to the next-gen Verna will be the new 1.5-litre direct injection turbo-petrol, which will produce 160hp. This engine will be mated to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT automatic gearbox. It will also do duty on most Hyundai-Kia models in India like the Creta, Seltos and Carens, replacing the existing 1.4-litre turbo-petrol unit. 

The other engine that will power the Verna will be the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. It is expected to be the same engine used in the outgoing Verna as well as the Creta, Seltos and Carens. It will be paired with either a 6-speed manual or an IVT gearbox. Both the engines will be RDE and E20 (20 percent ethanol blend) compliant. 

Furthermore, there will be no diesel engine option available with the next-gen Hyundai Verna and, with this, the midsize sedan segment will become petrol-only as the Verna's rivals don't offer a diesel engine either.

The new Verna will be sold in EX, S, SX and SX (O) trims. We expect the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine to be available on the higher trims, with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine used in the lower trims. 

Expected price and rivals
Expect the new Verna to be pricier than the outgoing models, especially with the introduction of the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. It will rival the Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia and the upcoming facelifted Honda City as well as the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, which recently had a slight refresh.