March 28, 2007: Auto major Hyundai Motor India Ltd is in a prolific mode announcing that it would unveil five new small cars this year. The move follows the potential challenge from the Tata Motors stables and is rumoured to be fuelled by an urge to reinstate its market position. The company, according to a report, has also unveiled plans to its plans to launch a diesel variant of its Santro Xing model.

Among the five new Hyundai models on the anvil is an eco-friendly compressed natural gas (CNG) version of the Santro. This variant is expected to hit showrooms in the next two months. According to the report, as the demand for CNG vehicles is on the uptrend in Delhi and Mumbai metros, the CNG variant is likely to be picked up by the fuel-effiiciency obsessed as soon as they debut. The bi-fuel version of Hyundai Santro that will run on both gasoline and CNG is scheduled for the summer. Hyundai India is also exploring options on launching an LPG variant too.

Meanwhile, the auto major has kicked off export of its Getz. The report added that Hyundai Motor will also launch as many as three versions of the Getz in the domestic market. To be named Getz Prime, the car will come in variants of 1.1 litre and 1.3 litre petrol engines and a 1.5 litre diesel engine.

These launches will be followed by a diesel version of the Santro. The car now is assembly stage sporting the codename PA, will be positioned somewhere between the Santro and the Getz. The unveiling of this model is expected by early next year. Hyundai’s diesel Santro, which is expected to sport a 1.1-1.2 litre engine, will be the smallest diesel engine in the country.