Daily News Capsule

The Verna was initially introduced by Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) in 2006. Last year, the mid-size sedan underwent a slew of updates, including the introduction of three new engines to extend the life of the current version, which has been on the market since 2017. The popularity of the C-segment for sedans has plummeted in recent years.

• The Verna has long been a popular model in the market, but it confronts stiff competition from the Honda City, as well as the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Skoda Rapid, Volkswagen Vento, and Toyota Yaris. Honda introduced the fifth generation City in 2020, with a revamped look and interior to help it maintain its sales lead.

It has had a lot of success with it, and replacements for the Skoda Rapid and Volkswagen Vento are in the works, based on the extensively localized MQB AO IN platform. Furthermore, the Belta, a rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, will replace the present Toyota Yaris. It is expected to go on sale in the following months.

• With so much competition in the sector, we expect Hyundai to give the Verna a generation upgrade later this year or in early 2023. The country’s second-largest automaker is notorious for making significant changes even during mid-cycle updates, and the Verna has gone through several design changes over the last 15 years.

The new Hyundai Verna could be built on the brand’s newest Sensuous Sportiness philosophy, which is being implemented globally. Sharp body panels and edgy design components are likely to be borrowed from the Elantra, adding to the car’s sporty appeal. It might as well be built on a new platform with larger proportions to allow for a more spacious cabin.

The existing 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-liter diesel, and 1.0-litre turbo petrol engines are expected to be kept in terms of performance. Aside from the conventional six-speed manual transmission, a six-speed torque converter AT, a six-speed CVT, and a seven-speed DCT may be used.

Keep reading the Daily News Capsule for more updated news.