Hyundai has launched the new Xcent, a sub-four-metre sedan built on the Grand i10 platform, taking the contest in the compact sedan to the next round. The new Xcent is Hyundai's first attempt at taking a shot in the segment.

The company has chosen to seek the support of the brand aura of its first sedan - the Accent - by retaining it in a new form. The Xcent will replace the Accent. The new Xcent's prices will be announced just before its scheduled launch next month.

Based on Grand i10

The Xcent is largely based on the Grand i10 with íts design being very familiar both at the front and the rear. But the addition of the boot seems to sit well on the new car. The car's design follows the Korean company's 'Fluidic' design philosophy. It is being offered with both petrol and diesel engine options and manual and automatic transmission.

The car, which was unveiled on Tuesday, is being offered with features that Hyundai claims to be a segment-first, such as rear AC vents, smart key, rear parking camera, alloy wheels, auto folding mirrors and one-touch electric boot opening.

Other features include glove box cooling, dual airbags, ABS and steering-mounted controls depending on the variant.

The Grand i10 is currently being offered with the 1.2-litre Kappa VTVT petrol engine and the 1.1-litre U2 diesel engine. Local content in the car, which will be manufactured at HMIL's Chennai plant, is said to be about 90 per cent.

Talking about the Chennai plant and the current production capacity, BS Seo, Managing Director & CEO of HMIL, said there is no plan to increase the installed capacity now. Expansion will be considered based on future models and demand patterns, he said.

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