It took Hyundai just over a month to expand the range of its Brazil-exclusive model, the HB20 sub-compact, with a new crossover version named the HB20X.
Both models made their first public appearance at this week’s 2012 Sao Paulo International Motor Show in Brazil.
The crossover model, which will go on sale early next year, is part of Hyundai’s exclusive family of cars designed for and manufactured in Brazil at its newly opened plant in Piracicaba. All models will be badged under the name “HB” that stands for “Hyundai Brazil”.
The HB20X spices up the appearance of the regular hatchback with a cosmetic makeover that brings about a revamped face sporting a redesigned bumper with a hexagonal grille similar to that used on Hyundai SUVs, new fog lamps, plus a black bezel and chrome details for the headlamps.
The side of the HB20X benefits from plastic moldings around the wheel arches and the rocker panels, silver colored mirror caps, and 15-inch dark gray alloy wheels, while at the back, we also find black molding that wraps the upper and lower sections of the bumper.
The silver roof bars, a higher riding suspension and some exclusive interior items such as sports pedals, chrome finishing for door handles and air conditioning controls, as well as blue double stitches for the steering wheel and seats, complete the transformation.
The front-wheel drive only HB20X will be offered with a single engine, a 1.6-liter flex-fuel four-cylinder unit rated for 128-horsepower, with Brazilian customers having the choice of manual or automatic transmissions.
Hyundai said that besides the HB20 and HB20X hatchbacks, it also plans to debut a sedan version of the car in the first quarter next year.
“We are confident that the HB family will not only meet, but exceed Brazilian consumers’ expectations with its outstanding design, finish and flexible fuel support,” Hyundai Motor’s Vice Chairman Euisun Chung said during a speech at the motor show.
“Furthermore, with our new plant, Hyundai’s ultimate goal is to become a true partner of Brazil, a country that is dynamically emerging as a major force in the world’s economy,” he added.
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