Hyundai Xcent launched, with alluring Rs 4.66 lakh price tag

 

On Wednesday, India's second-largest car maker Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) entered the hotly contested sub-4 metre sedan category with its compact sedan, the Xcent. Based on the Grand i10 platform, the Xcent comes for a starting price of Rs 4.66 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and will take on the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Honda Amaze. “The Xcent is a world-class product developed for Indian families and will create a new benchmark in terms of quality, design, space, features and driving pleasure in its segment. We have invested extensive effort in competitively pricing the Xcent,” said BS Seo, MD & CEO, HMIL. The Xcent also completes HMIL's portfolio in the sedan segment from entry level to premium.

“While the Indian auto sector saw negative growth in 2013, the compact sedan segment grew at 28.5% and has seen consistent sales of 24,000 units a month. We believe the segment will continue to grow and Xcent will further increase that growth,” added HMIL senior vice-president Rakesh Srivastava. With the Xcent, HMIL is hoping for a positive sales growth this year after witnessing a decline of 1.2% in 2013. “The recent excise duty cut is welcome and this year the sector will hopefully grow but only in single digits,” Srivastava said.

The Xcent is available in two engine options – 1.2 litre petrol and 1.1 litre diesel. The company says that while the petrol has a mileage of 19.1 kmpl, the diesel returns 24.4 kmpl. “The Xcent further redefines Hyundai’s automotive excellence as it gets various segment-first features such as glove box cooling, rear parking camera and sensors, auto folding mirrors, dual airbags, rear AC vents and more,” said Srivastava.

When asked if the Xcent will eat into slightly higher priced i20's sales, Srivastava added, “The i20 always had the Dzire and the Amaze as competitors, still it has been selling about 5,000 units a month. So there is no reason that Xcent will dent into i20's sales.”

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Hyundai Xcent Launch On March 12th

In the run up to the 2014 Auto Expo, Hyundai revealed the Grand i 10′s compact sedan edition the Xcent. Designed to compete in the compact sedan segment, the Xcent will take on the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire and Honda Amaze head on. It has now been confirmed that the car we saw first on 4th February 2014, will now be launched on 12th March 2014 i.e. within the period Hyundai stipulated. Expected prices for the Xcent should begin around Rs 5.30 lakh and go on to around Rs 8.15 lakh.

With the smartly named Xcent, Hyundai is looking to capitalize on the success of the Accent. The name is different yet familiar enough for customers to accept it instantly. Hyundai only unveiled the Xcent in Delhi and did not reveal any details regarding the engine options. However, if market trends are any indication the car is likely to get a 1.4-litre petrol engine and a 1.2-litre diesel. The 1.4 petrol will most likely be mated with a 5-speed automatic gearbox as well. With the Xcent, Hyundai will have tapped into every major and fast growing segment with the exception of the compact SUV. However, the IX 25′s (Final name will be different) launch doesn’t seem too far away which means Hyundai is going high and low to tap into every mass moving segment.

One of the things we liked most about the Xcent was the design employed. Adding size while staying within the sub-4 metre mark is a challenge many take up, but few can pull off gracefully. In terms of styling the car is evidently the larger sibling of the Grand i10, but the difference in name will certainly play to its advantage. Although the cars in essence are the same, the change in name makes the Xcent stand out just enough.

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Hyundai Xcent will be a tough competitor in compact sedan segment

Amidst all the hype and extravagance of automobiles at the recent 2014 Auto Expo event, Hyundai had finally revealed the name and first look of its much awaited sedan. The car rechristened as Xcent is said to be based on the i10 hatchback platform.

At the recently held Auto Expo event, B. S. Seo, Managing Director and CEO, Hyundai Motors India limited said, "The Xcent is a world­class product developed for the Indian market. We at Hyundai Motors India limited are proud to launch the modern family sedan in India. Xcent symbolizes Hyundai's commitment to Indian customers by offering high standards of quality, durability and reliability.


Xcent with its excellent value proposition and its unique first­in­segment features will serve a wide range of customers in India raising the benchmark in the segment."

The recently showcased sedan is likely to be powered by either 1.2­litre kappa dual VTVT petrol or 1.1­litre U2 technology diesel engine. As per sources, the car may also be available with an automatic transmission apart from a regular manual version.

The car is placed in straight line of competition with the likes of Maruti Dzire and Honda Amaze.Sources close to the development process have revealed that the auto maker is expected to incorporate a number of features in this sedan, such as revised front and rear bumpers,provision of LED lights and touchscreen entertainment unit with Bluetooth connectivity.

As seen at the Auto Expo event the new sedan shall sport a dual tone black and beige interior, push button start has been smartly positioned, electro chromic mirror acts as a rear display for rear camera.


Moreover, the Korean car­maker has also given much importance to safety of the occupants. The production version is expected to be loaded with Anti­lock braking system, rear defogger, dual airbags, central locking, rear parking assist and central locking.


Exact launch date for Hyundai Xcent has not been revealed, but unconfirmed reports suggest it may be launched sometime in mid of 2014. Pricing for the car shall also be revealed at a later date.

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