Hyundai's New Electric SUV That Will Challenge Tata Punch.EV
Currently, the car which Hyundai has in its lineup to compete with the super-popular micro-SUV Tata Punch.ev is the Exter. However, as we all know, despite being loaded with features, the Exter has not managed to dethrone the Punch.ev in India. So now, Hyundai is gearing up for the launch of a brand-new electric micro-SUV which will be taking on the Punch in India. Recently, a test mule of the upcoming Hyundai micro-SUV has been shared online.
These images showing the fully camouflaged Hyundai micro-SUV have been shared on Instagram by Joonsun Erin on their page. Hyundai has codenamed this upcoming electric micro-SUV for India - HE1i, and we can note that it will be boasting a very boxy design on the outside. To some, it may remind them of the Kia Syros sub-compact SUV as well. However, in terms of dimensions, it will be smaller and will take on the Tata Punch.
First off, let's start with the design of the front of this upcoming micro-SUV from Hyundai. We can note that this SUV will be offered with a squarish front end where we will be seeing an upright front windshield, a strong squared-off bonnet, a split headlight setup with LED DRLs on the top and main LED headlight units set on the lower portion of the bumper, four front parking sensors, and a front camera. There will also be a gloss black part on the lower part of the bumper as well.
After which, when we move to the side profile, we can note that the Hyundai HE1i, despite being an electric micro-SUV, appears to be very long. This is because the front and rear axles have been placed at the extreme ends with very small overhangs at both ends. Also, we can note that both door panels are very elongated, which means it will become very easy to get in and out of this SUV.
Other notable highlights of the upcoming HE1i include a set of premium-looking diamond-cut alloy wheels. These are 17-inch alloy wheels, and its competitor, the Tata Punch, is offered with smaller 16-inch wheels. Apart from it, the test mule has been seen with integrated roof rails and a black ORVM with cameras installed for the 360-degree camera system. As for the rear end, it has been completely hidden. However, we can note that it will get four parking sensors and camera, horizontally positioned LED taillights.
It has been reported that the Hyundai HE1i micro-SUV will be based on Hyundai's dedicated E-GMP (K) born-electric car platform. Most likely, it will be offered with two battery pack options of 42 kWh and 49 kWh. The smaller battery pack versions will make 97 bhp, and the latter will make 115 bhp. Both will offer 147 Nm of torque. As for the range, the 42 kWh unit will offer 300 km of range, and the 49 kWh will offer 350 km of range.
The spy images do not reveal the interior of this SUV as it was fully covered. However, it has been reported that it will be offered with dual curved 10.25-inch screens. One will be the touchscreen infotainment system, and the other will be the digital instrument gauge cluster. It has also been reported that its gear shifter will be mounted directly onto the steering column.
We can expect to see features such as wireless phone charging, ventilated seats, auto-folding ORVMs, a single-pane electric sunroof, ventilated front seats, and automatic climate control. Apart from these, it could also get a 360-degree surround-view camera and 6 airbags as standard.