Hyundai India has confirmed that their upcoming micro SUV would be known as the Exter when it is released. The Hyundai Exter will enter series production in July of this year, implying a market introduction in August. The Exter micro SUV was before known as the Ai3. It will be manufactured in India and exported to neighbouring nations in the future.
While the SUV has not been disclosed, Hyundai's teaser images show an outline of its exterior design. This confirms that it is a boxy SUV with an upright stance and a flattish hood and tailboard.
New Exter is expected to feature a split-headlight setup. It might come with LED daytime running lamps at the top and a square headlamp below it. The running lights during the day will have an 'H' pattern. A more prominent and angular tail-lamp design is also predicted, maybe linked by an LED light bar.
The side profile of the SUV may include some plastic panelling to enhance its appearance, especially around the wheel arches and doors. The ground clearance of the Exter is predicted to be higher than that of the Grand i10 Nios.
The Exter's base engine will be the same 83 hp, 1.2-litre NA petrol engine. The second 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine option might join the lineup later. The Exter's incorporation of Hyundai's 1.0 T-GDi turbo-petrol engine might give it an advantage over the popular Tata Punch, which does not have a turbo-petrol engine.
It would also allow customers to choose a more powerful and torquey engine to fill the hole left by the diesel engine. The Exter will gain a factory CNG option, and there are thoughts of an all-electric variation joining the lineup later on. Further information on the Exter will be released before its launch in August of this year.