Breaking: Hyundai Aura To Be The Xcent Replacement For India

• A teaser video was released today revealing the name of the sedan.
• The upcoming car may be the next-generation Xcent sub-4-metre sedan.
• No further details disclosed by the company.
• The updated Xcent replacement has already been spied testing.

Hyundai Motor India has just released the name of its next vehicle for India, the Aura sedan. The company hasn’t revealed anything else but we expect the upcoming sedan to be the recently spotted update to the Xcent compact sedan. Based on the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, the Aura is likely to come with BS6-compliant 1.2-litre engines. We were expecting Hyundai to unveil the sedan at the Auto Expo 2020, but with this news, we see the company revealing the sedan ahead of the Expo. While the current Xcent is priced from Rs 5.81 to 8.75 lakh, the Aura is likely to command a small premium over that price. It will compete with other sub-4-metre sedans such as the Tata Zest and Tigor, Honda Amaze, Ford Figo Aspire, and Maruti Suzuki Dzire. 

Exterior changes have been hard to predict on the heavily cladded test mules, but the profile of the Aura seems identical to that of the current Xcent. It may have a bumper-mounted number plate like the Ford Figo Aspire and black accents on the C-pillar. It may also get the Nios’ projector headlamps and new LED tail lamps. 

We expect the same interior trim levels from the Aura that we saw in its Nios stablemate, with circular air vents, a dimpled dashboard, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The dashboard of the Aura has always been obscured with camouflage in spy shots, but if the Nios is anything to go by, ergonomics will not be an issue for the Nios. Hyundai may put in some effort to make this car more premium, as it did with the previous-generation Xcent sedan. 

Power is expected to come from BS6-upgraded petrol and diesel engines. The former makes 83PS and 114Nm of torque, while the latter produces 75PS and 190Nm. Both engines will come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, but Hyundai may pick the 5-speed AMT over the 4-speed torque converter for the automatic versions of the car. 

The Aura will join the ranks of other sub-4-metre sedans. Looking at the Grand i10 Nios, we can’t wait to pit the Aura against the Honda Amaze, Ford Figo Aspire, Tata Tigor, and the Maruti Dzire. Expect to pay a premium for the Aura’s upgraded engines and thoroughly redesigned interiors and exteriors.