The refreshed i20 will make its debut at the Auto Expo 2018. The company is also planning to introduce a new automatic gearbox – a continuously variable transmission (CVT) - mated to the 1.2-litre Kappa engine. This 1.2-litre unit will replace the existing 1.4-litre petrol variant.
The demand for automatics has risen recently. Around 7 to 8 percent cars sold by Hyundai in 2018 were automatics. With the smaller 1.2-litre petrol engine, the i20 attracts less tax (12.5 percent) – since it has a petrol engine under 1200cc. The 1.4 i20 attracted a much higher duty of 24 percent.
Fuel-efficiency has also been addressed, the CVT promises to be more efficient. There will be a lot of changes to the car’s appearance, including tweaked bumpers and headlights and new alloy wheel designs.