Xcent: a sedan to make the family look good

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), the country’s largest exporter and the second-largest car manufacturer launched its highly anticipated compact family sedan Hyundai Xcent this week. 

Xcent will further redefine Hyundai’s automotive excellence in India in the compact sedan segment for the aspirational, stylish and value-seeking Indian customer. 

Speaking at the launch, B S Seo, Managing Director & CEO, HMIL said, “The Xcent is a world-class product developed for Indian families. Developed with the best of Hyundai Motor’s world-class technologies, Xcent will create a new benchmark in terms of quality, design, space, features and driving pleasure in the compact sedan segment. 

We have invested extensive effort in competitively pricing Xcent to offer excellent value and to become the most loved and trusted brand in India.”

Engine and transmission

The Xcent will be available in two engine options — the 1.1 litre advanced 2nd generation U2 CRDi diesel and 1.2 litre Kappa Dual VTVT petrol — offering a combination of optimum performance and high fuel economy.

The Xcent adopts the best of Hyundai’s powertrains to achieve enhanced power and torque output. 

The second generation U2 CRDi diesel delivers 72 PS (or horsepower) at a whopping 4,000 rpm (revolutions per minute) of maximum power and 18.4 kg in the 1750-2500 rpm range of peak torque. 

HMIL’s claimed mileage tag for the Xcent is 24.4 kmpl (ARAI figure). 

The environment-friendly U2 CRDi diesel engine is Euro V ready with low emission and NVH levels, the company said. 

 

The U2 engine operates at a high pressure of 1,800 bar and generates high low-end torque resulting in lesser gear shifts in city driving conditions. 

The linear power delivery and flat torque over a wide range of engine modes ensure smooth and jerk-free drives. 

 

The diesel engine is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission offering higher driving pleasure with enhanced fuel efficiency and refinement. For technological finesse, the turbocharger has been improved to provide better throttle response and acceleration.

The all-aluminum 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine comes with a dual VTVT mechanism delivering optimum engine performance with 83 PS at 6000 rpm of maximum power and 11.6 kg at 4000 rpm of peak torque with mileage of 19.1 kmpl (ARAI figure), HMIL said. 

The petrol engine offers choices between 5-speed manual transmission and 4-speed automatic transmission. 

Product development

The Xcent has been developed for the Indian market to cater to the needs of the evolved compact sedan segment buyers who value style, space, economy and technological features.

 Hyundai Motor India Ltd and Hyundai Motor Company Namyang R&D Engineers have worked closely from the conceptual stage to the final product development.

Complete package

 

The stylish exteriors of the Xcent include swept back headlamps and wrap-around tail lamps with chrome inserts. The hexagonal air dam comes with a sleek chrome finish.

A steeply raked windshield provides minimal air resistance. 

Other hard-to-miss features at first sight are the wide daylight opening area, a front bumper with integrated spoiler design, the sporty dual tone rear bumper with stylish reflectors, diamond-cut alloy wheels and classy chrome door handles, stylish and aerodynamic kick-up trunk lid design of the body with chrome garnish and LED high-mount stop lamps. 

The interiors have been appointed in bright dual tone beige and black with high quality plastic to back it up. 

 

The premium designed dashboard is integrated with hexagonal outlined audio and ergonomically positioned controls. 

 

The Xcent features generous legroom and headroom in front and the rear seats and best-in-class boot space.

Multiple storage options have been provided in door trims and the centre console.

 

Seating comfort is optimal with the well-contoured seats provided with excellent cushioning and rear arm-rests. 

 

The steering wheel comes wrapped in premium leather. So does the gearshift knob with chrome insert.

 

The car has been designed to provide high levels of security and driver support through a range of advanced safety features like an anti-lock braking system (ABS), cluster ionizer, dual air-bags, rear parking assist and a rear defogger.

 

The petrol version will be priced in the Rs 5.38 lakh to Rs 6.56 lakh range (ex-showroom Bangalore) while diesel variant will come in the Rs 5.66 lakh to Rs 7.51 lakh range. 

The automatic petrol version will be priced at Rs 6.37 lakh at the lower end and Rs 7.29 lakh at the higher end.