Santro name all set to return on Hyundai AH2 hatchback

If there were any doubts about what Hyundai would name its upcoming hatchback (codenamed AH2), you can put them all to rest now, as the carmaker has shared data from its naming contest, and – surprise, surprise – the Santro has emerged as the leading choice by some margin.

As part of its Naamkaran contest, Hyundai invited the Indian public to chip in with their name suggestions for the AH2 hatchback, and from among all the options, the illustrious 'Santro' name has received overwhelming support. From the over four lakh entries so far, more than two lakh entries want the AH2 to be named 'Santro'.

The closest any other name has gotten to that figure is 'i5' – the rationale behind it being the AH2 will sit a segment below the Grand i10 – and even that received only 663 votes. The other names in the running are Saneon (a mash-up of Santro and Eon, which received 443 votes) and Splash, which has received 426 votes. So it's safe to say that unless Hyundai decides to add a suffix to the name, the AH2 will, in all likelihood, be called the new Santro.

There are other advantages to reviving the nameplate as well. The Santro was the car that introduced Hyundai to the Indian public, and despite it being discontinued in 2014, the name still has a huge brand recall. Going with the name will also help Hyundai save on marketing costs, as it doesn’t have to establish a new brand from scratch.

The carmaker has put in an effort to make the new car as spacious as possible, and as is the case with every Hyundai, it will be loaded with features, including some segment-firsts such as rear AC vents and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Powering it will be an updated version of the 1.1-litre Epsilon petrol engine, which will be more fuel efficient than before, with a claimed efficiency figure of 20.1kpl. It will also be the first Hyundai to get an automated manual transmission, and will also be available with a factory-fitted CNG kit.

Hyundai will launch the new Santro in India on October 23, and it will go up against the likes of the Tata Tiago and the Maruti Suzuki Celerio.

Comments

Honda CB Unicorn 160 vs Suzuki Gixxer comparison

There is no replacement for displacement, as goes the old American saying, with which the rest of the world often nods in agreement. Increase in the number of cubic centimeters of fuel that our engines burn, seems only to be a pleasant idea to almost every petrolhead. More power, more torque and a healthier sounding grunt from the exhaust are the common expectations from larger engines. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has walked this same path, to add 10 extra cubic centimeters of capacity to the now proven CB Unicorn engine, to make the Honda CB Unicorn 160. FROLIC FASHION Although some of the features of the older CB Unicorn have been bettered, we’ve gone ahead and pitched it right in at the deep end, to face off against the very best in the segment to find out the exact degree to which this motorcycle has improved. So, in steps the Suzuki Gixxer, a Japanese-made premium commuter that’s fast rising to the top of its segment, with enough promise to overshadow all o...

2018 Lamborghini Urus India review, test drive

On first introduction, it’s a recipe for intimidation. It’s claimed to be the fastest SUV in the world (0-100kph in 3.6sec and a top speed of 305kph puts it nearly in supercar territory), and it’s made by Lamborghini – creator of some of the most savage vehicles on the market. Things – as with any Lamborghini, for that matter – would be a lot less daunting if we were driving on a smooth European country road, a wide motorway, or even a race track. But today we’re driving the Urus on a narrow ghat road, as well as through some heavy Pune traffic. Perhaps the intention was to demonstrate that this is the first Lamborghini ever to go on sale in India that truly works in our conditions – but still, I doubt they accounted for rush hour. It’s requisitely mad to look at, employing as many ‘sporty’ design tropes to an SUV body style as possible – the only thing missing is a massive wing on the back; and somehow, it works. It’s ...

Land Rover Discovery Sport review

Two things. To start with, it’s Land Rover’s replacement for the popular and capable Freelander. It’s also the first of the models from Land Rover’s new Discovery sub-brand, one that will focus on utility in the same vein as the Range Rover line is about luxury. The Discovery Sport was shown as a concept last year and the production version’s styling doesn’t stray too far from the prototype. It’s smart, well proportioned and interesting but doesn’t have the show value of something like an Evoque. Still, there’s a certain honesty to the chunky shape which, if you think about it, more than links the Sport to the Freelander. The Sport is 91mm longer than its predecessor and also sits on a wheelbase that’s grown by 80mm. These increments, and the incorporation of a compact multi-link rear suspension, have allowed Land Rover to fit in a third row of seats, giving the Sport a big advantage over its five-seat competitors – the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60. But Land Rover is being cau...

Automobilestillnow

Search This Blog