Hot on the heels of introducing the all-new Verna, Hyundai Motor India has begun marketing activities for its next big launch for our market, the AI3 sub-compact SUV that will go on sale by August this year, according to our sources.

Hyundai AI3 SUV: what exactly is it? 
We reported recently that Hyundai has begun testing the upcoming Ai3 sub-compact SUV in India. Sources tell us that series production for the Ai3 will commence at the Hyundai Chennai plant by early July this year and a market launch can be expected by late August, right at the onset of the festive season. 

Hyundai AI3 SUV: platform and styling
Hyundai’s K1 small car platform, that also underpins the Grand i10 Nios, will form the basis for the AI3 sub-compact SUV.  The size and positioning for the smallest Hyundai SUV for India will be quite similar to the Hyundai Casper sold in South Korea, but the India-spec Ai3 will be substantially differentiated in terms of styling. 

Hyundai seems to be targeting at SUV at young individuals that like to explore places and as far as looks go, the AI3 will have a upright SUV look and could have a similar silhouette as the Alcacazar in a sub-compact footprint. The sub-Venue SUV from Hyundai for India will follow latest Hyundai design language for SUVs, featuring slightly boxy proportions. From what is known, it will look quite different from the Casper and will have unique door design body panels.

The micro-SUV will get a split-headlamp set-up, similar to the Creta, Venue and Alcazar, with LED daytime running lamps at the top and a squarish, Venue-like headlamp below it. The daytime running lamps feature an 'H' pattern, which was also seen on test mules of the upcoming Santa Fe SUV. The SUV is also expected to get a unique and more angular design for its tail-lamps. The rear bumper, too, is likely to sport a different look. The AI3 will be around 3.8 metres long, which will help it position decently under the Venue and will rival like the Punch and the C3

Hyundai Ai3 sub-compact SUV: powertrain 
The Ai3 sub-compact SUV is likely to share the same 1.2-litre petrol engine as the Venue, Grand i10 and Aura. There will not be a diesel engine option on this SUV and thus will be the only Hyundai SUV on sale in India that will be petrol-only. 

Expect more details on Hyundai’s smallest SUV for India, to emerge in the coming days as a run-up to its market launch, which is slated to take place by August this year.