Hyundai Just Took The Wraps Off The Aura Compact Sedan

• The Nios-based sedan's exterior was revealed today.
• Interior features include an 8.0-inch touchscreen and a 5.3-inch driver's information display.
• Three BS6 engine options are available: 1.2 petrol, 1.2 diesel, and 1.0 turbo-petrol.
• It is expected to be priced higher than the Xcent.

Hyundai Motor India has unveiled the Grand i10 Nios based Aura sub-4 metre sedan. It gets BS6 petrol and diesel engines including a segment-first 1.0 T-GDI turbo petrol. Hyundai has equipped it with other segment firsts such as a wireless phone charger and rear view monitoring camera. The Aura is expected to be priced higher than the Xcent, which retails from Rs 5.81 to 8.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Once launched, it will rival the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Honda Amaze, and Tata Tigor.  

The Aura’s twin boomerang DRLs and grille are more similar to the Euro-spec i10 than the Nios. The honeycomb grille is surrounded in black plastic or matte silver. The lower part of the grille extends all the way down to the body coloured aero lip on the bumper. The Aura retains its stablemate’s blacked-out C-pillars. Its tailgate curves upward to meet the roofline. The headlamps and foglamps are projector units and taillamps have LED elements. 

Inside, the Aura gets an 8-inch infotainment system that packs Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This is from the Nios, as is the 5.3-inch driver's information display in the instrument cluster. The Aura also has navigation and an Arkamys sound system, which can be controlled from a smartphone through the Hyundai iblue app. A rear view camera can project onto the screen even when driving forward. This could improve rearward visibility. Like the Nios, the Aura also gets wireless charging and an eco coating to prevent unpleasant smells in the air conditioning system. 

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Hyundai has updated two more engines to meet BS6 norms. Read our story about the engines here. While the base petrol had been updated for the Nios already, the diesel and turbo petrol are now BS6 as well. Hyundai's new 1.2-litre Ecotorq turbocharged diesel has a 2000 bar (30,000 psi) injection system. It makes 75PS and 190Nm of torque. Petrol power comes from a BS6 1.2 MPI naturally aspirated motor good for 83PS and 113Nm. But we are excited about the Venue-derived 1.0-litre KappaTurbo GDI capable of 100PS of power and 172Nm of torque. It has been detuned by 20PS but makes the same torque as the Venue. All engines will be available with a 5-speed manual transmission as standard. The 1.2 litre diesel and petrol variants will also have the option of an AMT. 

The Hyundai Aura will be sold alongside the Xcent as a more premium compact sedan offering. Hyundai will offer a comprehensive warranty with three options of coverage -- 3 years and 1 lakh kilometres, 4 years and 50,000km, and 5 years/40,000km. We expect it to be launched at Auto Expo 2020. Prices are likely to be higher than the Xcent, which is priced from Rs 5.81 to 8.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Once launched, the Aura will rival the best selling car in India: Maruti Suzuki Dzire. The competition also includes the Tata Tigor, Honda Amaze, and Volkswagen Ameo.