Hyundai reveals yet another SUV for the global market
It's raining SUVs! But, not really SUV's. Hallelujah!
The upcoming SUV from Hyundai has been named Bayon (pronounced as ‘Bye-Onn’) and is largely based on the i20. Now, before I die of keeping it within me, let me honestly tell you this is no SUV. Like the i20 Active it replaces, it will mostly have no off-road capabilities and only has the accessories to make it LOOK the part. A look that some may like and others may hate. There is no in-between. To get you onboard with Hyundai’s thoughts behind unveiling this new SUV, here are some of the highlights –
- Sits below the Creta and above the Venue.
- Has a striking exterior design and higher ground-clearance than the i20.
- Will share most of its interior with the i20.
While the Bayon shares its underpinnings with the current-gen i20 on sale, it does borrow the styling from the recently-updated Kona, including thin DRLs, arrow-shaped headlights. At the back, however, in my opinion, it is more like a Prius and a BMW i3 had a baby, sans the electric motors. Again, in my opinion.
It will not be available in either a four-wheel-drive or an all-wheel-drive, as it only remains a FWD, like the i20. Hyundai has said the Bayon is an Urban-focused vehicle and as a result, its interior has been designed to honor utility, space, and comfort.
A 2,580mm wheelbase (identical to the i20) allows front passengers, 1,072mm of legroom, while at the back, 882mm, and the 411L boot can be extended to 1,205L with the rear-bench flat.
As for the powertrain and gearbox combo, Hyundai is offering its entry-level 1.2L MPi petrol motor that is capable of producing 84hp and a 1L Turbo GDi petrol unit that offers up to 120hp, along with a 48V mild-hybrid tech. The gearbox includes either a 5-speed MT or a 6-speed iMT.
The all-new Bayon shares its safe DNA with the other Hyundai SUVs – it’ll have LFA (not Lexus) short for Lane Following Assist, NSCC (Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control), a state-of-the-art navigation system that anticipates upcoming curves and straights on highways and adjusts the speed accordingly, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.
Quite a good-looking car/SUV/Crossover-SUV, don’t you think?
