Korean manufacturer Hyundai is on a roll. Next week the firm’s eagerly anticipated VW Golf-rivalling i30 model will go on sale in South Africa, and a new Santa Fe is on the way before the end of this year, too.
Now, a posting on thekoreancarblog claims to have detailed information on the brand’s future model line-up, including all new model introductions up to 2015. Most likely, many of these will be coming to South Africa.
After the introduction of i30, Veloster and Santa Fe this year, 2013 will bring a heavily revised version of the marque’s smash-hit ix35 crossover. It will feature a new front-end heavily inspired by the new Santa Fe. A new ix35 is due in 2015. Also due for a facelift around the same time as the ix35 is the Sonata. An all-new model is expected in 2014.
Also a possibility in 2013 is a new low-cost B-segment model (think Getz) that is being developed for Brazil and other developing nations (mostly likely including South Africa, as this is a growing segment here (Figo, Vivo, Etios, Sandero). Likely to be dubbed the i15, this car will also spawn a CUV (crossover utility vehicle) – potentially something like a Sandero Stepway or Dacia Duster. This model would battle the likes of the upcoming Ford EcoSport, due in SA early next year and powered by Ford’s new 1,0-litre EcoBoost engine.
Very likely for South African introduction is the ix25 B-segment crossover, a rival for Nissan’s Juke, and due for introduction in 2013. This model has been previewed already by the Curb concept. Also already previewed in concept form (i-mode HED-5) is the ix30 compact minivan. This model is unlikely to come to South Africa.
Then, in 2014 we should see the arrival of an all-new i10, again to be imported from India. A new i20 is also a possibiity in 2014, and will replace the Accent in European markets, but not likely in South Africa. Moving up the price scale, it is also rumoured that Hyundai is working on a large four-door sports-coupe model (think VW CC).
Finally, an all-new H-1 minibus (dubbed Grand Starex in other markets), is scheduled to debut in 2015.
