Exclusive - Hyundai Xcent set to launch in March second week

Hyundai India will launch the much anticipated compact sedan, Xcent, in the second week of March 2014. The company unveiled the Xcent on February 4th, with a promise to roll out the car very soon.

Based on the Grand i10's platform, the Xcent is a sub-4 metre sedan, which will be positioned against the likes of Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire and Honda Amaze. If we talk about the design, the Xcent looks similar to the Grand i10, except the additional boot given to the former, to give it a sedan shape. Inside the cabin, too, the Xcent is identical to the hatchback, with similar list of features and design.

There will be no changes under the hood as well, the compact sedan will share the 1.2-litre Kappa2 petrol and 1.1-litre U2 diesel with the Grand i10. The Xcent will be made available in both manual as well as automatic transmission gearbox options.

What might really give the Xcent a competitive advantage over its rivals are a number of first-in-segment features like rear AC vents, smart key with push button start, rear parking camera with sensors, 15 inches diamond cut alloy wheels, 2 DIN audio with USB, CD player with 1 GB internal memory, auto folding mirrors, electro-chromic mirror ad one-touch electric trunk opening. The Hyundai Xcent will also offer best-in-class boot space to its buyers.

The Hyundai Xcent will offer some advanced active and safety feature such as dual airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), rear parking assist, rear defogger and central locking.

Since, the car will compete against Swift Dzire and Honda Amaze, expect it to be priced between Rs 5 lakh and 7.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). However, the company hasn't officially said anything on the pricing.