New Details Emerge On Nios-based Hyundai Xcent

• The test mule of the next-gen Xcent was spied wearing heavy cladding.
• The cabin bears resemblance to Grand i10 Nios; will get a touchscreen infotainment system.
• BS6 petrol engine expected to be carried over from the Grand i10 Nios.

Ever since the launch of the new Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, we have been anticipating a sub-4-metre sedan based on it to replace the ageing Xcent. Test mules confirming the development of the Nios-based compact sedan have been spied testing since June this year. Now, we have learned more about its dashboard and centre console. 

 Changes to the exterior are expected to be extensive - in line with the exhaustive redesign of the Nios hatchback. Spy shots from Europe revealed a redesigned front bumper and grille. At the rear, a blackened C-pillar may find its way into production. The short boot has been hidden in the test vehicles we have seen, and is expected to be all-new as well. The tail lamps will extend to the boot lid, just like the current Xcent. 

 Other styling cues include new 14-inch alloys, which are different in design from the Nios hatchback. On the inside, the pictures conceal a dashboard design which we have already seen and loved in the Grand i10 Nios. The new steering wheel is right out of the Venue, as is the barely-visible touchscreen infotainment display. 

With the approaching deadline for BS6 production, it is likely that the new Xcent will be a petrol-only car at launch, equipped with the 1.2-litre motor which debuted in the Grand i10 Nios.  It puts out 83PS and 114Nm of torque, and will come with a 5-speed manual as standard. Hyundai is also working on a BS6-compliant version of the 1.1-litre U2 diesel engine, which in its current state of tune makes 71PS of power and 160Nm of torque. We expect Hyundai to offer an AMT on select variants. Prices are speculated to range from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 9 lakh. Hyundai hasn’t announced a timeline for the launch or the prices of the new sedan.