The subsidiary of the South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Company – Hyundai India has announced that the company will launch the diesel model of its super-hatch-i20 by the end of the current year. Hyundai India has also announced that the company is aiming to increase its market share in the 10 lakh-units Indian car market by launching new products.  

Hyundai India has reported that the diesel variant of the premium hatchback “i20” will be rolled out as part of the company’s plan to launch at lease two new products annually in the Indian market; the company will continue with this plan for the next couple of years.   

According to Hyundai India, the diesel variant of i20 will come equipped with 1.4-litre diesel 1396cc engine (1.4l CRDI engine), and the diesel variant will be around 15-20 percent costlier than the petrol model. The diesel i20 will offer better fuel economy and improved drivability, particularly because of the diesel engine’s higher torque output, in comparison with the petrol engine. The diesel will produce a power of 74bhp and a torque of 220Nm.  

Hyundai India told that the company is likely to introduce a VGT (Variable geometry turbocharger) to the diesel engine to make it more powerful. The the diesel i20's length will be 3940mm, width will be 1710mm, and height will be 1550mm. The car will have the fuel capacity of 45 litres. The top model of diesel i20 will come equipped with airbags and ABS. The car will also feature the 2DIN music system. The interiors of the diesel i20 will be same as that of the petrol i20. The diesel i20 will be priced in the range of Rs 5.75 to 7.75 lakh.

Hyundai is already selling i20 with 1.4 liter and 1.6 liter diesel engines in the international market. With 1.4 liter diesel engine, the i20 will qualify for the small car excise norms. The diesel i20 will compete with the diesel models of the Maruti Suzuki Swift (DZire also) and the Skoda Fabia.

Presently, Hyundai’s market share, in the passenger cars segment in India, is little more than 20 percent, and the company is aiming to increase its market share to over 25 percent by 2012. In a statement, the Senior Vice-President (Asia & Pacific Division) of Hyundai Motor, Young-Kil Chun has stated that the company currently has a 20.4 per cent market share, and it looks to increase its market share by three per cent by the end of year 2009.   

Chun has stated that the industry forecasts are indicating that the Indian market will grow to about 15 lakh units by 2012-13, and Hyundai Motor is looking to increase its market share to 25 percent by 2012-13. According to Chun, the company’s target is to achieve a six million (60 lakh) units capacity by 2013 (Hyundai and Kia plants combined).