Spied - Hyundai RB sedan testing in India

The Hyundai RB sedan has been spotted testing near  Kodaikkanal, Tamil Nadu. The RB sedan on which we have been bringing you regular updates since the day it was shown as a concept would be Hyundai's global compact sedan specifically designed for growing markets like Russia, India and China. The Hyundai RB is essentially the Korean automaker's answer to the Volkswagen Vento sedan in developing markets.

The Hyundai RB which is based on the i20 platform sports the 'Fluidic Sculpture' design language and looks very smart. The Hyundai RB which has been christened the Solaris in Russia would roll off Hyundai's Russian plant in January 2011 and the car is expected to launched in the India market by the end of 2011.

It unclear how Hyundai India would position the car as the facelifted Verna Transform has only been launched recently. We believe positioning the RB both above and below the Verna Transform would be catastrophic. Our  guess is that the Hyundai RB could be priced above the Verna and to compete with the likes of the VW Vento, Fiat Linea T-Jet and the Honda City and under the next generation Elantra/Avante.

The Hyundai RB is likely to come with a choice of two Gamma petrol engines,  a 1.4 l producing 107 bhp and 135 Nm and a bigger 1.6 l producing 124 bhp and 156 Nm. Both these engines come with Hyundai latest CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing) technology. Diesel engines would also be offered.

Hyundai RB spy pictures gallery -

Image source: Autocar