Russia - India-bound Hyundai Verna facelift launched with 6-speed AT

Hyundai of Russia launched the refreshed Hyundai Solaris (the same Hyundai Verna under a different name) with prices starting from 473,900 Rubles and extending to 574,900 Rubles (INR 8.26 - 10.02 lakhs). The prices have gone up by 6,000-10,000 Rubles (INR 10,400 - 17,400) compared to the pre-facelifted model.

At the front, the Verna facelift now gets larger headlights which are inline with newer Hyundai models like the new Sonata and Genesis. The single-slat chrome grille is now replaced by a much larger dual-slat grille, and a redesigned bumper adds newly designed foglights with daytime running lights.

Changes at the rear are very subtle. The taillights continue with their existing design, but get LEDs for their brake lights. The rear bumper gets redesigned reflectors and a black underlip. Hyundai have made no changes to the interiors of the car.

The Solaris comes with 1.4- and 1.6-liter petrol engines in Russia, both of which are available on the Verna in India. There are no changes to these engines, but the 1.6-liter petrol now gets 6-speed manual and automatic transmission options for the Russian market. In India, the Verna 1.6 petrol gets choices of a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox.

The Solaris is made at Hyundai's facility in St. Petersburg, Russia. It is available in hatchback and sedan bodystyles in Russia and is a popular model in Russia having won the Russian Car of the Year Award for 2012 and 2013. It is one of the best selling foreign cars in Russia, with over 1.13 lakh units sold in 2013.

The Hyundai Verna launched in India in early 2010 and has visually remained unchanged. Expect the same or a similar facelift in India before its fifth anniversary.