By Hyundai released the first teaser of its upcoming micro-SUV, which is codenamed AX1. The model has been in development since 2018 and the test mule was already spotted testing in South Korea. The teaser image shows the headlamp and tail lamps of the upcoming SUV as initially the company plan to reveal it as a concept model followed by the production reveal sometime later. The AX1 is likely to take on Tata HBX.
The headlamp gets a circular design theme with round LED DRLs integrated into it. But the test mule spotted in Korea reveals that the AX1 will get the split-headlamps design of recent Hyundai models and it will look similar to the Venue and Creta as top-end models get projector set up. The grille will be extremely big like most of the modern Hyundai models with the logo in the middle and the fog lamps might be positioned on the lower bumper.
The rear appears to have a wide tail lamp set up and it could be LEDs to make the model unique. The A-pillar design is similar to that on the Venue and the tall-boy theme will certainly help the engineers to liberate more headroom but not the same level as Maruti Suzuki Wagon R. The company will offer roof-rails depending on variants and the test mule had also revealed that the side design is different from other models.
According to earlier reports, the AX1 share the platform with Grand i10. We can expect lots of components to be shared to keep the cost down. The engine options on AX1 is likely to be a 1.2 L Kappa Series engine from Grand i10 on top-spec models while the entry-level variant gets a 1.1 engine from Santro. The gearbox options will include a 5-speed manual and an AMT gearbox. The concept is expected to revealed soon and the production model could be introduced next year.
