From Sketch to Reality: Hyundai Exter Spied Testing on Indian Roads, A Smart TallBoy CUV design
Standing out in the crowded mainstream car space in India can be a task. Hyundai intends to do it with the smart and small Exter, designed to appeal to millennials and Gen Z. First-time car buyers have a new car launch to look forward to. Hyundai has commenced testing and recently we saw Hyundai Exter CUV spyshots without camouflage in near production-ready guise.
True to Hyundai’s teaser sketch, HMIL hasn’t had a car like this in its Indian lineup since i20 Active. In terms of buying Exter, primary comparisons can be drawn to Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Citroen C3, Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger and recently launched Maruti Suzuki Fronx.
Hyundai Exter-nal Elegance – Spotted Testing
Hyundai Exter shares a platform with Grand i10 NIOS. And this means, the entry level pseudo sub 4m/small car/CUV was designed and readied in quicktime. Smaller than even Venue. India-spec model has commenced testing too as covered in a previous blog. The recent test mule in Hyderabad shines new light on upcoming Exter crossover. The company has camouflaged it and retains most of its attributes from Exter spied overseas (Seoul).
Looking at the roofline, it’s evident that Hyundai’s tall-boy design is at the fore. Roofline height rises as we approach the rear, and abruptly tapers down. Roof rails make Exter look taller than it already is. Front profile is fairly muscular with a high-set bonnet.
There is a Hyundai badge on this bonnet in the middle. Below it, we see a sleek black element, flanked by LED DRL housings. A-pillars are blacked-out just like in Venue. Hyundai has played with shapes and geometric design aspects. This is evident in the ‘H’ shaped LED DRL signature, square headlight housings and round projector headlights within them, squared-off wheel arches and more.
Designers have encased headlights in an interesting shape that pans horizontally and doubles up as its grille. Body cladding cuts out on visual bulk and alloy wheels look interesting too. At the rear, there is a chunky C-pillar. Blackened bits make them look slender. Tail lights are ‘H’ shaped too, mimicking its LED DRLs.
There is a black cladding at the rear. Also, the rear bench is close to its tailgate. Hyundai might have carved out more interior space at the expense of boot space. Faux skid plates front and back add muscle and enhance Exter’s crossover appeal. India-spec Exter test car misses out on a dual-tip exhaust.
A Closer Look at the Hyundai Exter: What Sets It Apart from the Competition
Hyundai will offer features like a sunroof (segment-first), climate control, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rear AC vents, a large boot, a reverse camera, steering-mounted controls, side and curtain airbags, and more. Hyundai tested Exter in Sweden in snow terrain as well. So, AWD is likely in markets like Europe.
Naturally aspirated 1.2L 4-cylinder engine is likely to be its sole offering at launch. It is capable of 82 bhp of power and 114 Nm of torque, mated to either a 5-speed MT or AMT. Hyundai might introduce the 1.0L turbo petrol offering at a later date with an N Line version. This potent engine kicks out 118 bhp of power and 172 Nm of torque.
