Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept

Hyundai is aiming hard to capture the small truck/pick-up truck market with their trucklet, the Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept.

This four-door five-passenger “urban adventure” concept is powered by a 2-litre turbodiesel producing 190 horsepower, 300 lb-ft of torque, and a fuel efficiency figure north of 30 mpg. The Santa Cruz’s HTRAC AWD system puts the power to the ground, though the transmission used to direct said power wasn’t mentioned.

Other features include: expandable bed, integrated tonneau cover, Brembo brake calipers, LED fog lamps, lens-free honeycomb headlamp projectors, tie-down cleats on the roof, wheel arches and bed rails, and a footprint comparable to a small crossover.

Hyundai states that the concept is not aimed at traditional truck buyers, instead choosing to pursue crossover and sedan buyers looking for a vehicle that’s truck-like, but better suited to city life.

Ogier wins Wales Rally...And its Goodbye Hirvonen!!

World Champion Sebastien Ogier comfortably scored his eighth win of the season in the Wales Rally GB. Ogier in his Volkswagen Polo R remained unchallenged after his team mate Jari Matti Latvala, who looked promising on the opening day before he crashed mid way in the opening stage.

Mikko Hirvonen had an emotional end to his career after he finished in the second place.

Here are the Top five timings in the Wales Rally GB after the Power Stage.

1. Ogier (VW): 3:03:08.2

2. Hirvonen (Ford): 37.6

3. Ostberg (Citroen): 1m03.6s

4. Neuville (Hyundai): 1m14.9s

5. Evans (Ford): 1m24.3s

Ogier after winning:

"The win is the best way to finish the year - that was the target. We wanted to enjoy it here. We started flat-out and we made a great difference, but after Jari-Matti had his problem my race changed and I had to control it. Not the best fun but I had to do it. When the conditions are like this it's not too bad. I'm so happy for Mikko to finish on the podium. It's a great achievement."

Hirvonen after finished on the podium in his last Rally:

"I'm so happy! I couldn't have a better end to my career. A great fight. For sure I am going to miss things. There are so many people to thank. To you all - thank you!"

Jari-Matti Latvala won the rally-closing Power Stage in a Polo R to take maximum bonus points. Thierry Neuville claimed two points for second in a Hyundai i20, with Østberg taking one point for third.

What to expect from Hyundai's Grand i10?

                                                 Hyundai Grand i10: From my sketchbook

The new Hyundai Grand i10 is not an extension of the current Hyundai i10. The Grand i10 has a slight increase in its dimensions as compared to the i10. This new hatch from Hyundai will be in between the i10 and the i20. The increased dimensions help in increasing the cabin and boot space. The wheelbase in increased by 100 mm which adds to better stability and control when driving.

The front end of the Grand i10 shows improvisation and it now looks a bit more stylish than the i10. It now has a huge trapezoidal grille. The headlamps of the Grand i10 are in 3D with multi-reflector chrome surround fog lamps from the HID Projector headlamps with Angel Eye. The front end of the Grand i10 now looks sporty and more aggressive than the i10.
The rear end is a curvy one which was flat in the i10. The light cluster is a elongated wraparound which stretches into the sides. The rear bumper is body colored and curvy and has reflectors at its ends.

The Grand i10 is definitely more spacious and provides more head and leg room than the i10. The Grand i10 provides a modern and good looking central console with climate control and a music system with 1GB inbuilt storage capacity. Also it has 2 tone interiors and electrically adjustable rear view mirrors.

The price is expected to be in between the i10 and the i20. Hyundai will try to price it so that it can grab hold of the market that is currently occupied by the Maruti Suzuki. The Grand will come with two engines, the 1.2 Kappa petrol and Hyundai's 1.1 U2 CRDi diesel.

Competitors:

Maruti Suzuki Ritz and the new Nissan Micra

Verdict:

It is a more spacious, good looking and an improvised version of the i10 we already know with even more features than the i20.

Now it all depends on how Hyundai decide to price it for the Indian market.