Hyundai will launch Verna sedan version in India on 21st March – A wagon variant of the same for international market has been spied
India has never been a market for station wagons. With a larger boot space than a sedan, Wagons are a tempting proposition. These are typically based on sedans and are very popular in North America and Europe for their practicality and versatility. Sure, one can argue that an MPV can be used as a wagon, but proportions would say otherwise.
Hyundai Verna Wagon Variant – More Space, More Ground Clearance
Now that the Indian automotive market has matured a lot, is this the calling for Wagon revival in India? If so, we would love Hyundai Verna Wagon to make that statement in India. First spy shots of the Verna Wagon variant have leaked on the internet. Let’s take a look at how Verna-based Wagon fares against its sedan counterpart.
Hyundai Verna Wagon test mule was spotted in Russia. Design-wise, it seems to be similar to the Verna sedan that is set to launch in India on March 21. At the front, a similar face between Verna sedan and Wagon is immediately evident. A wide LED bar adorns the front along with a new parametric grille.
We have reflector LED headlights too, just like the India-spec Verna sedan. Design is identical till C-pillar and this is where Verna is transitioned to a Wagon. At the rear, tail lights are similar too and changes are apparent with extended roofline. But unlike the sedan variant, the wagon variant of Verna is giving an SUV-like stance. This is probably due to the rugged snow tyres and higher ground clearance it has.
There was no ADAS module spotted which could indicate simplicity and cost cutting. We expect powertrains to be similar to the ones expected with India-spec Verna. In this sense, a 1.5L MPi NA petrol engine making 113 bhp and 144 Nm, along with a 1.5L turbo-petrol option with 158 bhp and 260 Nm. A 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCT might be offered too.
Wagons In India – HM Ambassador to Tata Indigo Marina
India has had a fair share of wagons over the years. We got HM Ambassador, Premier Padmini Safari, Tata (then Telco) Estate, Opel Corsa Swing, Skoda Octavia Combi, Fiat Palio Adventure, Maruti Baleno Altura and Tata Indigo Marina. Do we see them around in a large capacity today? No. They hardly sold and were discontinued due to uninspiring sales.
This is not the first wagon that Hyundai has made. Most prominent wagons by Hyundai are Lantra, i30 Wagon, i40 Wagon and more. There are rumours in place, suggesting that Elantra-based and Sonata-based Wagons are in development as well.
Speaking of Wagons offered in the recent past, we had Volvo V90 Cross Country and Mercedes Benz E-Class All-Terrain. Currently, we have the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo as the only Wagon on offer in India. In developing countries like India, buying MPVs and people movers is a better bet than a slightly more practical version of a sedan. But the sleek design aesthetic of a wagon has its own charm.
