Next-gen 2020 Hyundai Xcent - IAB Rendering

Hyundai has started testing the second generation Xcent for launch next year. After giving a speculative preview of its front-end last week, IAB's digital artist Shoeb Kalania has now come up with a rendering of its front three quarters.

The second generation Hyundai Xcent could be launched with a different name, keeping the market for the old model that is very popular among fleet operators open. There would also be the advantage of avoiding the car being perceived as a taxi vehicle, something that would otherwise affect private sales.

The second-generation Hyundai Xcent will be notably aggressive in terms of design. As visible from the rendered image, the car comes with a bigger cascading grille with honeycomb inserts and packs boomerang-shaped LED DRLs which have been added on to its either edges. The air intake has grown wider and is sharp, and looks way more sporty and dynamic than before. The sweptback headlamps haven't gone through any prominent changes and still features halogen lighting. The fog lights are now present in a triangular housing similar to the facelifted Elantra. On the sides, it features new machine-finished alloy wheels, and there is chrome treatment on the beltline area. It also gets a prominent shoulder line which stretches up to the tail light panels.

Since lifecycle makeovers tend to be generally thorough in Hyundai cars, it is safe to assume that the interior will also be fully revamped. It will feature a completely new designed dashboard, centre console, steering wheel, instrument panel and floor console. Also, a new 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is expected inside the new Xcent. Along with new convenience features, Hyundai will focus on improving the space and comfort for the passengers.

Hyundai will sell the 2020 Xcent with upgraded, BS-VI version of the 1.2L Kappa petrol engine and U2 1.2-litre diesel engine. Transmission choices will include a 5-speed manual unit and a 5-speed automated manual unit. The latter will be a replacement for the company's aged 4-speed automatic transmission.

Also Read: 2020 Hyundai ix25 to be launched in China in August

The next-gen Hyundai Xcent will likely be launched by March next year, and there are also reports of a pure electric variant of the same which could follow in the later stage.