The Hyundai Exter micro SUV will begin production in July and hit the market by August, according to sources. Formerly referred to as the Ai3, the vehicle will initially be manufactured in India and eventually exported to neighbouring countries.
14 Apr 2023 | 5448 Views | By Akbar Merchant, Autocar India
Hyundai India has announced that its upcoming micro SUV will be called the Exter upon launch. Series production for the Hyundai Exter will commence by July this year, hinting at a market launch by August. The Exter micro SUV, which was so far known as the Ai3, will be built for India and exported to neighbouring countries in the future.
Hyundai Exter exterior design, platform
While the SUV has not been revealed, the teasers sent by Hyundai today show an outline of its exterior design. This confirms that it is an upright SUV with a flattish bonnet and tailgate, thereby confirming its boxy proportions.
From what we know, the Exter 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 will feature an 'H' pattern, which was also seen on test mules of the upcoming Santa Fe SUV that will see a global debut later this year.
Coming back to the Exter, a unique and more angular tail-lamp design is also expected, which will likely be connected via an LED light bar. The side profile will have some faux cladding, especially around the wheelarches and along the doors, to add to its SUV appeal. Hyundai will also give the Exter slightly higher ground clearance than the Grand i10 Nios.
Hyundai Exter to get at least two petrol powertrains
The entry-level engine option for the Exter will be the same 83hp, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol as the Venue, Grand i10 Nios and Aura. The second engine option, as reported by us recently, will be a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that could join the line-up later.
Sources tell us that the inclusion of Hyundai’s 1.0 T-GDi turbo-petrol engine will give the Exter an advantage over the popular Tata Punch, which does not come with a turbo-petrol option.
It would also help customers opt for a more powerful and torquey engine that would be aimed at filling the void of the diesel engine. The Exter, however, will get a factory CNG option and there are talks of an all-electric variant as well that will join the line-up at a later stage.
Expect more details on the Exter to be revealed ahead of its launch in August this year.