Hyundai All New i20 Turbo: Get the hot-hatch advantage

Ever the desirable premium hatchback in India, the new i20 Turbo now brings the premium quotient to its engine bay as well.

The Hyundai i20 doesn’t like status quos. Period. Since the time it first arrived in India, the car has consistently pushed the boundaries of what can be considered a good premium hatchback. In fact, it wouldn’t be out of place to say it had Indians warm up to the concept of a premium hatch. 

With the all new i20 Turbo, Hyundai has sought to push the boundaries higher still. If you’re someone who likes your car premium, reliable, feature-rich, and hot, here are four reasons why the Hyundai i20 Turbo might just be the perfect way to shake up your status quo. 

A Turbo Heart

While features and a sense of plush are important, what makes a hot hatch truly hot is the power it packs under the hood. Hyundai has left no stone unturned when it comes to that, plonking a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder GDi Turbo engine into the i20. 

The result is a premium hatchback that makes 120PS of power and 172Nm of torque, making it the most powerful offering in its segment while trailing a close second in the torque game. 

But Hyundai hasn’t just made the new i20 more powerful. The car is now also lighter as it’s based on Hyundai’s K-platform, which uses high-strength steel for greater rigidity at lower kerb weight. 

These numbers should make for interesting performance math, right?

Tracer Bullet Performance 

Yes! The new Hyundai i20 sprints from a standstill to 100kmph in a claimed 9.9 seconds, making it among the fastest in its segment. But the way that performance is delivered makes the new i20 Turbo such a joy to drive.

Turbo engines and smooth power delivery are strange bedfellows. Fans of naturally-aspirated engines will point out that their power delivery is smooth with instantaneous throttle response, which  most turbo engines lack. 

But not the Hyundai i20 Turbo. The way its power builds up is deceptively smooth, and you never feel rushed to keep the engine on the boil or on high-revs to experience the turbo’s thrill. 

This makes it an apt choice for city-slickers who do not like to wait for empty city roads to enjoy their car’s power. But it’s not just the practicality of the i20 Turbo’s power that appeals to the urban jetsetter.

Power That’s Easier and Affordable to Live With

Hyundai also offers two transmission options with the i20 Turbo: a 7-speed DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) and a 6-speed iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission). Both transmission options let you pilot the car with utmost ease, whether you’re dealing with bumper-to-bumper traffic or scorching highway tarmac. 

And the wide grin on your face will only grow wider when you find out that the i20 Turbo’s spirited nature doesn’t leave your wallet dispirited. The hatchback returns a claimed ARAI figure of  20.28kmpl to a litre of petrol, making it the most fuel-efficient offering in its class.

Premium’s the Word

The i20 has always been the byword for premium in its segment, and it’s no different with the Turbo variant. This is apparent the moment you fire up the engine, which beggars belief with the kind of refinement it packs for a three-pot motor. 

Hyundai has also flourished the i20 Turbo with loads of premium touches on the outside and inside. For instance, it gets a diamond-pattern grille with a prominently placed Turbo badge, ensuring others take note of your turbocharged steed from a mile away.

On the inside, the new Hyundai i20 Turbo is distinguished by red stitching and piping on the all-black upholstery and switches with red accents. It also gets a fully-digital instrument cluster that can relay turn-by-turn navigation information apart from the usual tidbits. Together, these elements create a premium and sporty feel unmatched by cars in this, and even some higher segments. 

You can also say the same about the i20 Turbo’s HD touchscreen infotainment system, which, at 10.25 inches is by far the largest in its class. The system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to let you control phone calls, live navigation, and music playback while you’re on the move. 

Convenience and Reliability Personified

The Hyundai i20 Turbo is a car that sets your heart racing for the right reasons. For instance, it comes with best-in-class warranty options of 3 years/100,000 km, 4 years/50,000 km, and 5 years/40,000 km, while also offering the lowest maintenance cost in its segment. And should you need help when on the move, Hyundai’s 3-year roadside assistance program always has your back, no matter where you are in India.

So, are you ready to shake up your status quo with the all-new Hyundai i20 Turbo? Call your nearest Hyundai dealership to book a test drive today.