Hyundai Introduces CNG Dual Fuel Version of Grand i10 in India

South Korean carmaker has launched the CNG powered variant of the Grand i10 in Indian market. The CNG powered variant of the hatch will be available for all customers – private and commercial now. The Magna trim of the car has got the CNG treatment and along with the cleaner CNG fuel it can also run on petrol. The CNG variant of the Grand i10 comes with a 1.2L VTVT petrol engine that is rated to deliver 82 Bhp and 114 Nm, this engine now comes with a CNG kit. However, the output while the hatch is on CNG does not remains the same and drops to 66 Bhp and 98 Nm. As far as the prices are concerned, the CNG variant is also pricier than the normal petrol version of the hatchback. The price for the petrol variant of the car is Rs. 5.72 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. The dual fuel CNG variant is priced at Rs. 6.39 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.

For now, the CNG variant of the hatchback is limited only in market where the fuel is easily and readily available, like Delhi-NCR, Pune, and Mumbai. What is to be noted here is that Grand i10 is the only car in the segment as of now that offers the option of a dual fuel CNG variant. Other rivals in the segment like the Maruti Suzuki Swift and Ford Figo only come with petrol and diesel options in the market. Since CNG is not easily available in all parts of the country so far, Hyundai bringing out the CNG variant of the Grand i10 will only give it a limited edge in the market. However, with the option of CNG fuel in the Hyundai Grand i10 now, the customers have the choice of buying a cheap to run car that is also affordable than the diesel version of the same. With the addition of CNG, the car will also escape the 10-year ban on diesel cars that is getting common across the country.

With the upcoming BS-VI emission norms set to kick in from April 2020, we will get to see less and less diesel cars in the market. The largest carmaker of India has already stated that they will stop the production of diesel models in India as soon as the deadline approaches. While the statement also comes with the promise of reintroducing the diesel models in the market if a demand exists, the manner in which diesel car prices will rise post BS-VI norms, the demand of diesel cars is also supposed to be low.

Hyundai has so far not made any such statements but the rising prices may also force the South Korean maker to stop offering diesel engines, at least in the small car segment. In such a situation the company may take the CNG route, just like it has done with the Grand i10 right now.