Hyundai Exter Revealed With Muscular Styling, Bookings Open

• Hyundai Exter revealed with beefy styling elements.

• Pre-launch bookings are open for Rs 11,000

• Will be offered in five trims: EX, S, SX, SX(O) and SX(O) Connect

• Powertrain options will include a 1.2-litre NA petrol and a 1.2-litre paired to CNG 

• Will be available to spec in six mono-tone and three dual-tone exterior shades.

• Could be priced from around Rs 6 lakh (ex-showroom)

Hyundai has finally taken the wraps off its next launch in the country. The entry-level SUV called the Exter, which will be a chief rival of the Tata Punch, has finally gotten a face that we can attach to its name, and it looks beefy. It’ll be offered with a petrol and CNG powertrain that will be available in a total of five trims: EX, S, SX, SX(O) and SX(O) Connect. Both online and offline bookings for the micro SUV are open for a token amount of Rs 11,000.

Design

Previous spy shots and teasers, all hinted towards a chunky rugged design and that seems to be the case. It has the typical micro-SUV stance, which is further accentuated by the squarish design elements, flared fenders and cladding on the wheel arches and side sills.

Up front, you get an H-shaped motif for the LED DRLs, while the projector headlamp unit, housed in a rectangular chrome-surround, flanks the black grille in the middle of the nose. The sharp creases for the flared fenders become rather prominent from the front three quarters and you also get diamond cut alloy wheels. The C-pillar gets a parametric garnish, while the roof rails aid its rugged demeanor. 

Hyundai hasn’t revealed an official image of the rear profile, but spy shots suggest squarish tailights with H-shaped signature inside, connected via a black strap. The bumper also seems to get heavy cladding, but we’ll share more deets on it once we get the official images.

Powertrain

The Exter will be available with the same powertrain as the Grand i10 Nios: a 1.2-litre petrol engine with 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed AMT. Hyundai hasn’t stated the official output figures, but we reckon they will be the same as the i10 Nios’s 83PS and 113.8Nm. A CNG kit will also be available with the Exter and the output is likely to drop to 69PS and 95.2Nm in CNG mode, similar to the hatchback.

Features

Note: Grand i10 Nios' cabin used for reference

The Korean marque hasn’t divulged any deets on the creature comforts of the Exter, but you can expect a large infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, digital driver’s display, wireless phone charger, a sunroof, automatic climate control and cruise control to be some of the features on offer. Up to six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors with camera and electronic stability control could make up its safety suite.

The Hyundai Exter will be available in five trims: EX, S, SX, SX(O) and SX(O) Connect. In terms of exterior shades, there will be six monotone and three dual tone shades, including Cosmic Blue and Ranger Khaki - which are two new additions. 

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We expect Hyundai to price the Exter similarly to the Tata Punch, so prices could start from around the Rs 6 lakh mark (ex-showroom). Apart from the Punch, the Exter will go up against the Maruti Suzuki Ignis in India.