Hyundai Carlino Sub-4m SUV Might be launched in India before Hexa Space MPV

Korean automaker Hyundai has confirmed that it will delay the research and development of its compact MPV to fast track putting a compact SUV in production, which will be based on the Carlino concept. The Carlino concept was recently showcased at the 2016 Indian Auto Expo and the representatives of Hyundai confirmed that the production car will be a sub-4 metre compact SUV.

The compact MPV was showcased at the Auto Expo 2012 and, over the last couple of years, the interest of the Indian customer has moved from compact MPVs like the Ertiga to the compact SUV segment. The reason behind Hyundai deciding to speed up the production of the Carlino is also the fact that MPVs like Renault Lodgy, Honda Mobilio, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and various others have shown fluctuating demand, popularity and success in the market, whereas the crossover segment is so hot right now that it has even motivated automakers like Honda to revamp their in-production MPVs into coming up with compact SUV crossovers like the BR-V.

One of the most popular sub-categories of the compact SUV segment is the sub-4 metre compact SUV arena, which is currently dominated by contenders like the Ford EcoSport, Mahindra TUV 300 and the recently launched Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Hyundai’s compact SUV which will sit below its Hyundai Creta compact SUV and, judging from the concept which was showcased at the expo, one can say that the upcoming cars will introduce the Korean automaker’s new design language.

This assumption comes thanks to the boxy design and substantial glasshouse accents that were incorporated by the Carolina concept, which break away from its Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design approach and might be indicative of a completely new design language.

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