Updated on 15 September 2012:
Hyundai Brazil has officially launched the Hyundai HB20 which is first Brazil exclusive model. Hyundai will produce this car in their Piracicaba plant starting 20th September 2012 with the sales starting in October 2012. The HB 20 will offer many comfort features right from the entry level variants like Hydraulic power steering, dual front airbags, air-conditioning, a spoiler with a built-in brake lights, a rear windshield wiper and storage compartments etc. The HB20 is a flex-fuel model conforming to the Brazilian flex-fuel norms.
Hyundai has spent about 5 years time to develop this Brazil specific car with many Brazilian engineers involved in the development. The car has been designed keeping in mind the needs of Brazilian customers, road-conditions, weather conditions and emotional needs of the buyers.
In terms of style and design the car is quite forward looking and modern. The design elements are inspired by the fluidic language of Hyundai’s global lineup with extra-sharp lines and triangular elements and lines included in the design.
The sheep appearance and presence is full of sportiness. The rear and side profile look inspired by agility and fitness of an athletic. The fit-finish and build-quality seems very impressive too.
The car offers considerable luggage space in the boot and comfortable ride for 5 adult passengers on the interiors.
The interiors also look very plush and sporty with black-grey and silver finish. There are plenty of premium features like steering mounted audio control, integrated audio system, large AC vents, sporty instrument clusters, split seats at rear etc.
Under the hood is an option of 3 different power trains which includes 1 litre kappa engine and 1.6 litre gamma engine with 5 speed manual transmission and a 1.6 litre model with automatic transmission. The fuel mileage of the HB20 is up to 15 KMPL for the manual and 13.5 KMPL for the automatic model.
Hyundai HB20 entry level variant has been priced at R$ 31,995 (Brazilian reals) which is approximately Rs. 8.63 Lakhs.
Below is the official TV commercial video of the HB20:
Updated on 23 August 2012:
Brazilian website UOL CARROS has share some pictures of fiery red Hyundai HB20 doing rounds of Brazilian roads without any camouflage whatsoever. From the pictures it appears to be late night hours when the car is making rounds of the Paulista Avenue, in Sao Paulo, Brazil most likely for a photo shoot. Below are these pictures as treat for your eyes.
image – Hyundai HB20 Front and Side view
The Fluidic design language is quite pronounced on the new HB 20 and it gives the car a very appealing exterior look. The aesthetics of the HB 20 are attractive and forward looking with sleek and sharp styling elements.
image – Hyundai HB20 Rear View
Hyundai HB20 will go on sales in Brazil in September 2012 and will be presented at the Sao Paulo Auto Show 2012 in October 2012. Powered with two engine options of 1 litre and 1.6 litre the HB20 is a premium hatch for Brazil which will compete with cars like Volkswagen Gol.
The rear of the car looks very smart and attractive with a coupe like roof styling and small but curved rear windshield which merges beautifully with the rear boot door of the HB20.
The tail lamps with sleek ends merging beautifully with the rear boot door and sizes of the HB20 give a really sporty and futuristic look to the rear of the car.
image credits – UOL CARROS
Updated on 8th Aug 2012:
It happens quite rarely that a presenter gets to spend some time with an all new model which is yet to be launched. Recently this happened with a Brazilian presenter from Auto Esporte who visited the Hyundai’s Brazilian manufacturing plant to get the latest updates on the development of the Hyundai HB20. Some of you may not be familiar with HB20, which is a Brazil specific hatchback styled on the lines of i20.
The HB20 is an all new model for the Brazilian market and is essentially a blend of the Hyundai Sonata and the iGen i20. This was clarified by the pictures taken while the presenter was taking the camouflage partially off the HB20 at the manufacturing facility. Beside the information on the design of the car, we also learn that it will be powered by two engines: A 1.0 litre and a 1.6 litre flexi-fuel engine.
Being a new model, Hyundai offers plenty of features which are common now-a-days. The list of features includes the following:
- ABS with EBD (Optional)
- Front Airbags
- CD Player with USB, AUX and iPod connectivity
- Steering Wheel mounted audio controls
- Air Conditioning
- Auto headlights
- Rear Parking Sensors
- Alloys Wheels
- Hydraulic Power Steering and many more
Initially the company has plans of launching the same in the Brazilian market only and it is decided that it will not go beyond South America. Having said that, speculation about a compact SUV with the same design and same components is also in the air and many of the Brazilian blogs have also talked about the same in the recent past.
image credit – Car.Blog.Br
Talking about compact SUVs, it is evident how well this particular segment is flourishing. Renault Duster has already received over 10,000 bookings and the number is expected to rise further. Ford is almost ready with its Ford EcoSport which is expected to hit the market in early 2013. Beside these two, other majors are also planning to enter the same segment with their under-development products. Hyundai has a great chance here with the HB20 based crossover which possibly could take the market by storm as the design seems to be appealing and so are its features. All we can do is hope Hyundai does think about the SUV and participates in the SUV race soon.
Hyundai HB20 Official Teaser Video
Hyundai HB20 Official Teaser Pictures
Stay tuned to Car Blog India for more updates.
