Hyundai rolls out Verna for Indian mkt

New Delhi: The Indian arm of South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor, which has lined up investment of Rs 4,191 crore for setting up new car, engine and transmission plants and research centre in the country, Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) added a new model to its Segment C variants.

The new 'Verna', being offered in both diesel and petrol engines and to be manufactured at the company's Chennai unit, has been priced between Rs 6,21,499 to Rs 7,35,499.

"Targeting at segment C, Verna is about top-notch performance. Both the variants are two engines which define the segment with their class leading performance and refinement," HMIL Managing Director H S Lheem said.

"When our team surveyed the market they found an undefined yet clearly visible split in the largest growing segment of the market. The Hyundai Verna, which has received rave reviews in the US and

European markets, will be dealing with this segment," he added.

Boasting of maximum power as compared to other cars in the segment, Verna comes with many added features.

• Front and rear centre armrests
• Double DIN MP3 audio
• Electric outside ear view mirrors (ORVM's)

Safety features:

• Large diametre ventiliated disc brakes assisted by ABS
• High torque rear braking system that delivers up to 50 per cent more braking power
• Robust body-in-white with multiple reinforcements
• Knee protection, side impact beams and clutch lock.

While the 1.6 litre, DOHC VTVT petrol delivers 103 PS max power and 14.9 kg per metre of torque, the 1.5 litre, 4 cylinders, CCRDi VGT Diesel unit delivers 110 PS max power and 24 kg per metre torque available right through 1,900 rpm-2,750 rpm.

Earlier Hyundai's Chairman and CEO Chung Mong Koo met President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and announced Hyundai's investment plans for the country.

The company has so far invested Rs 3,372 crore in India. HMIL's second plant, will produce 3,00,000 units per annum, doubling its total production capacity to 6,00,000 per annum by 2007.

The company presently markets 36 variants of passenger cars in six segments. The Santro in Segment B, Getz in the B+ segment, Accent in C segment, Elantra in D segment, Sonata Embera in E segment and Tucson in the SUV.

It recorded combined sales of 2,52,851 with a growth of 17.26 per cent over year 2004 and expects to grow in future further.