Hyundai Venue To Get 8-inch Infotainment System; Internet Features Revealed

Will be the first car in its segment to get internet-based features in India

Latest update: Hyundai Venue official bookings are now open. More details here.

• Debuts Blue Link telematics and internet-based (eSIM) connectivity features for Hyundai in India.

• Remote engine and AC start limited to Automatic variants.

• Internet-based safety features like live tracking, remote engine immobiliser, crash and panic alert as well as vehicle health report for manual cars as well.

• Gets an 8-inch touchscreen unit, an inch bigger than the Creta’s.

• Will be launched in May 2019. Prices expected to range from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh.

Hyundai is all set to showcase the Venue subcompact SUV on 17 April. Slated to launch by the end of May 2019, the Venue will be the first Hyundai in India with its Blue Link telematics and internet-based connectivity technology. It will be free for a period of three years and chargeable thereafter. Hyundai is yet to announce any subscription plans for the eSIM and other value-added features.

The eSIM (Vodafone Idea) will allow the Venue to be remotely controlled by Hyundai’s Blue Link application. This will give Hyundai Venue owners access to various safety features such as:

• Live car tracking - real-time location of the car

• Remote safety features - stolen vehicle notification, tracking, engine immobilisation with the help of Hyundai's call centre, remote location access and alert Police

• Geo fencing - alerts owner when car crosses a set perimeter

• Speed fencing - owner is informed when the car crosses a set speed limit

• Valet alert - owner will be notified if the car crosses a set speed limit, location or is idling past limit

• Time fencing - sends notification when car is started during pre-determined off hours

• Crash notification - alerts emergency contacts and services when airbags are deployed

• Auto DTC - continuously checks if anything is wrong with engine or transmission

• Manual DTC - owners can manually check info regarding airbag, brake and steering system

• SOS and RSA

• Panic Notification

Along with these, it will also get app-based convenience features such as remote engine start and climate control (only with automatic versions), horn/light and some self-explanatory features like Find My Car, Share the Destination, Live Traffic info, Share My Car (allows family or friends to access Blue Link services via mobile app) and Idle Alert. The Blue Link app will be available on both Android and iOS platforms.

• Hyundai Venue Spy Pics Reveal Exterior, Interior, Features & More Details

The app will also let you access internal diagnosis, monthly vehicle health report and regular driving behaviour. For voice command, Hyundai says the Venue has AI assistance, which does a better job of understanding the Indian English accent through cloud-based data.

The Hyundai Venue’s key fob will come with an emergency button, which isn’t available on any other Hyundai currently sold in India. This button is dedicated for sending a distress signal. On long press, it will start flashing the lights and honking for 30 seconds and send an SMS to emergency contacts saved on the mobile app. The Venue’s internal rear view mirror (IRVM) gets three buttons at the bottom for the following functions:

• SOS - emergency button for medical and panic assistance.

• RSA - intimates Hyundai call center in case of flat tyre, vehicle breakdown, emergency fuel delivery, lost key or when towing is required.

• Blue Link - calls customer care for push maps and general assistance.

The Hyundai Venue will be available with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit (an inch bigger than the Creta’s) with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and other usual connectivity options. In this segment, only the Ford EcoSport comes with an 8-inch screen, while the rest offer 7-inch or smaller displays.

It will get a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. This engine will get a manual as well as a dual clutch automatic transmission. The diesel engine is expected to be the 1.4-litre unit from the Verna, Elite i20 and Creta which develops 90PS/ 220Nm and is mated to a 6-speed MT. The Venue is likely to get an automatic option with the diesel as well.

The Hyundai Venue is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 8 lakh to 12 lakh. Do you think the new kid on the block will be able to fend off competition from established rivals such as the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and new Mahindra XUV300? Let us know in the comments section below.