While we were expecting Hyundai to release the new generation of its i10 city car on or right before the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in early September, the Korean company chose India and a select group of media outlets including the local edition of Autocar magazine for the world premiere of the series.

The model revealed in Hyderabad, the capital and largest city of the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, is the new i10 Grand, which is 100mm (3.9 inches) longer than the upcoming European version set to debut in Germany next month.

Designed primarily for the Indian market, the stretched i10 Grand will slot between the current i10, which will continue to be offered in the country, and the larger i20 supermini. Besides the longer body, the shorter European i10 and the Indian model will share the same styling that incorporates Hyundai’s more recent design cues like the separated front grilles and sharper lights. Photos of the interior have not yet been released.

In India, the i10 Grand that is built on Hyundai’s BA platform will come with newly available luxury (for the local market and segment) amenities, including a cooled glove box, auto folding mirrors with turning signals, rear parking sensors, a higher end audio system with 1GB of memory and rear passenger air-condition vents.

The engine range comprises two units, an all-new 1.1-liter, three-cylinder U2 diesel delivering an estimated 70hp (official figures pending), and Hyundai’s familiar 1.2-liter Kappa four-cylinder gasoline powerplant with an optionally available four-speed automatic.

We’ll have to wait to learn details for the European i10 that will be built at Hyundai’s plant in Turkey. In the meantime, scroll down to watch Autocar India’s video from the first drive of a camouflaged prototype.

Thanks to Akbar M. for the heads up!

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