Four years after phasing out the popular Santro Xing, Hyundai has launched the All New Santro hatchback in India. With the new model, Hyundai intends to revive the iconic brand that has existed in India since September 1998. The new Santro is built on a new K1 platform that allows the car to be wider and more spacious than its predecessors. Debuting on the new Santro is the Smart Auto AMT feature, which an automated manual transmission developed in-house by Hyundai.
The new Hyundai Santro comes with a few features that are new in its segment of cars: rear air-conditioning vents, impact-sensing automatic door locks, camera-enabled rear parking assist, and an eco-coating on the air conditioner. The Santro also comes with a new audio video system in the centre console that features a 7-inch touchscreen, dedicated voice recognition button (on the steering wheel), and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
“The all new Santro is a true example of Hyundai’s Made-in-India philosophy and a shining result of our numerous product clinics and rigorous durability test on various terrains in India. Our R&D centre in Namyang (S. Korea), Chennai and Hyderabad have put strong efforts for product supremacy and utmost customer delight,” commented YK Koo, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai Motor India Limited.
The new Hyundai Santro comes with anti-lock brakes (ABS with EBD) and an airbag for the driver as standard across all variants. While an updated version of the Epsilon 4-cylinder 1.1-litre petrol engine powers the new Santro, Hyundai is also offering a factory-fitted CNG option. The engine produces a maximum power of 69 horsepower. Prices start at Rs 3.89 lakh for the base ‘D-Lite’ variant of the Santro and go up to Rs 5.45 lakh for the top-end Asta variant. The new Smart Auto AMT option is available on the two variants Magna and Sportz just below Asta.