Hyundai adds style to the "A" segment with the i10

Dhruv Tanwar
01 November 2007

Introduced to compliment it''s ''A'' segment offering, the Hyundai i10, which was codenamed "Pa" during its development, together with the Santro and the Getz Prime, will make the company one of the biggest players in the category, according to managing director H S Lheem.

The car itself if quite an eye-catcher, and left the audience trying to figure out which was prettier - the Getz, or the i10. Loaded with stylistic and functional innovations, the car is decidedly world-class.

The new i10 is powered by a 1.1 litre, iRDE petrol engine that marries power to fuel economy, developing maximum power of 66.7PS@5500 RPM, and a peak torque of 10.1 kgm @ 2800 RPM. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with a console mounted, ergonomic, short throw i-shift gear box, which frees up space between the driver and the passenger seat, and also gives a unique look, counted amongst the numerous category-firsts the car has in terms of features. The car has a motor driver power steering system, and also comes in the option of a 4-speed automatic transmission to ease up city driving.

Attractive exteriors and spacious interiors, the i10 comes with airconditioning and heating, folding rear seats, dual-tone beige interiors, seat belts with pretensioners, and an electronic odometer and trip meter, and tubeless tyres as standard fitments. The top end variant also sports a sun-roof, another category-first, with a rear spoiler, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, keyless entry, 2-DIN audio system with MP3 that is blended into the dashboard, giving the car a premium look and feel similar to some of the C and D-segment cars.

Scoring on safety, the i10 comes with anti-lock braking system (ABS), seat belts with pretensioners, dual airbags for the driver and front passenger, and another category first - an impact sensing auto door unlock mechanism that automatically unlocks the doors upon impact.

The i10 will be marketed in four trims, the D-lite, the Era, the Magna which is the top end variant, and the Auto with automatic transmission. It will sport a colour range of 10 colours.