Hyundai plans to launch the most affordable electric SUV in the Indian market

Hyundai plans to introduce the new Bayon crossover model to the Indian market. This vehicle was presented globally, and its official launch in India is scheduled for October 26. Before the start of sales, Hyundai Motor India has already revealed several characteristics of this model.

The Bayon will occupy a position between the Venue and Creta models in the company's lineup. The car will be equipped with an ADAS Level 2 Pro system, which includes 23 different functions. Additionally, the car comes standard with 35 safety features, available even in the base configuration.

Hyundai developed this model based on its global K Enhanced platform. The car body is designed using 69% high-strength steel with a multi-stage structure. The company positions the Bayon as a vehicle that meets the 5-star safety standard in India.

Hot-stamped components were used to reinforce the structure in critical areas such as the front bumper, dashboard, rear floor, and side reinforcements. The Bayon integrates the Hyundai SmartSense Level 2 Pro ADAS system, consisting of 23 functions, and is fitted with 3 radars and 12 parking sensors.

The standard configuration includes 35 features, including 6 airbags, ESC, Hill Start Assist Control, TPMS, and rollover sensors. The new Hyundai Bayon, expected on October 26, will be available in 10 color options, offered in monotone, two-tone, and matte finishes.

The Bayon is equipped with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine capable of producing 115 horsepower and 142.8 Nm of torque. Although there is speculation about a possible CNG version, this has not been confirmed. If a CNG version appears, the Bayon will become the first SUV from Hyundai over 4 meters long equipped with this fuel type.

The car will be available in ten colors, including Titanium Black, Classy White, Atlas White, Fiery Red, Golden Bronze, and Electric Grey Monotone. Titanium Black Matte and Classy Blue Matte variants will also be offered. Information on the prices of the Bayon will be announced on October 26.

With the arrival of Navratri, the festive season has begun in the country, and during this time, car companies are busy launching new models in the market. In this context, Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has launched the new facelift version of its most affordable car in the Indian market, the Toyota Glanza. This hatchback, equipped with an attractive design and a powerful engine, has a starting price of ₹6.99 lakh, while the top model goes up to ₹10.49 lakh (ex-showroom).

The new Toyota Glanza will now be available in a total of five different variants, including E, S, G, V, and V (Optional). A significant feature is that the company has included Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) in the Toyota Glanza for the first time, which is available only in the higher V (O) grade. This car is presented in seven color options, including brand new Bluish Black and Digital Teal colors.

Design Changes Made

The appearance and design of the Toyota Glanza have also been modified by the company. This car has been provided with a completely new front end, a new grille, and newly designed alloy wheels. The car is also equipped with a radar module, which supports features related to ADAS, i.e., Advanced Driver Assistance System. However, no changes have been made to the headlight design, but the LED fog lamps have been redesigned.

The Toyota logo located at the front of the car has also been changed; it is now mounted on the plastic trim below the bonnet. Additionally, the new Glanza features a shark-fin antenna. The side profile of the Glanza remains the same, featuring 16-inch alloy wheels. The chrome door handles and the chrome line around the windows have also been retained, meaning there has been no major change in the car's lateral appearance. The rear design is also unchanged, featuring wrap-around LED taillights, a roof spoiler, and a washer with a rear wiper.

Engine and Performance

The biggest change in the Toyota Glanza is its new Z12E 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. This engine operates on both petrol and CNG fuel options. In petrol mode, this engine generates 83hp of power and 112Nm of torque. Options for a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) are available with it.

The old model used a 4-cylinder engine. Comparatively, the new engine has 7hp less power output, while there is a 1Nm reduction in torque. Despite this, the mileage in the new model has been slightly improved. The idle start-stop feature has also been added with the petrol engine, which helps reduce fuel consumption by shutting down the engine when the vehicle remains stationary for some time.

The company has also included the Intelligent Gear Shift (IGS) system for the automatic variant, which makes the driving of the automatic variant smooth. The new engine generates 70hp of power and 102Nm of torque in CNG mode. Both 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT transmissions are provided in this option as well. Compared to the old engine, the power in CNG mode has decreased by 7hp, but the torque has increased by 4.5Nm.

Car Cabin Features

Regarding cabin features, it includes things like ventilated front seats, Toyota i-Connect, Head-Up Display (HUD), and a 360-degree camera. The company has given it new leatherette seat upholstery, making the interior of the car feel more premium than before. Furthermore, front seat ventilation is also provided, which can make travel more comfortable in hot weather. The new Glanza also has a wireless phone charger, and beneath it is a cooling vent that can help keep the phone cool during charging.

For music lovers, the car is equipped with a Clarion 4-speaker and 2-tweeter sound system. Additionally, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Level-2 ADAS features are included. Similar to the previous model, it comes with a 9-inch touchscreen and automatic climate control. A monochrome head-up display is available for the driver, while the instrument cluster features a Color Multi-Information Display (MID) with analog dials. In addition to automatic climate control, the car also provides AC vents for rear passengers.

Advanced Safety Features

In terms of safety, the company has provided 6 airbags as standard across all variants. Furthermore, the top variant includes features such as Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), Tech Body Structure, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), three-point ELR seat belts, and Emergency Stop Signals.

The Level-2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) package includes features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and High-Beam Assist, which help make the driving of this car safer.

Honda Cars India is actively working to expand its product portfolio. A compact SUV with a length of less than four meters is expected to be released soon. Furthermore, the company is developing an all-electric crossover named Zero Alpha, which has been seen on Indian roads multiple times.

It is planned that over the next few years, the company's portfolio will be expanded to ten different models. The start of this process will be the launch of the first electric model. Currently, the company's range includes only four products: Honda City, ZR-V, Elevate, and Amaze.

The first electric model, based on the Zero Alpha concept, may appear in early 2027. In parallel, the company is preparing hybrid technology specifically for the Indian market, although the hybrid option is currently only available for the Honda City.

The brand's main goal is to enter the compact SUV segment with a length of up to four meters. This segment is in highest demand in the Indian market, but Honda currently lacks a vehicle in this category. The company aims to challenge players such as Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, and Kia Sonet.

Honda is developing the Zero Alpha specifically for the Indian market. It is expected that this car will have a length exceeding 4 meters, be offered in a five-seater configuration, and have a range of 500 kilometers. Recently, an updated version of the Honda Elevate, the brand's mid-size SUV, was also introduced.

Although Zero Alpha does not yet have a hybrid option, the car will be equipped with a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine. This year, Honda also released updated versions of the Honda City and ZR-V. Honda continues to strengthen its position in the Indian market; the ZR-V is a product obtained through the SKD route.