HYUNDAI PLANS TO LAUNCH NEW MODEL "HA"

I have got our hands on another spy picture of the Hyundai HA, this time with fewer covers as compared to the cars spotted earlier. The test mule was spotted by our alert reader Roshan Vignesh being tested near Chennai.

Its evident from the pictures that the HA carries a cab-forward stance, similar to the i10. And considering its strong shoulder line and the severely raked A- and C-pillars, it suggests that this baby Hyundai will be a recipient of the company’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language, which is full of sharp cuts.

With the HA, Hyundai is aiming at stealing some of the Nano’s thunder by pricing it in the range of Rs 2-3lakh. At this price point, it will be able to compete with the top-end versions of the Nano and scaled down and slashed products from Maruti as well.

The HA will be based on a pared-down Santro platform, which already costs Hyundai very little and the company will leverage its already fully localised powertrain as well. The motor that powers the car will be an 814cc three-cylinder version of the Epsilon engine in the Santro, developing approximately 48bhp, and Hyundai will carry over other bits and pieces from the Santro too.

Hyundai knows how to build quality products that are well engineered, well suited to Indian conditions, deliver very good fuel economy and the company is at the top of the game as far as parts and service are concerned too.

Expect Hyundai’s all-new small car, the HA to be launched towards the end of 2011 or early 2012.