2016 Hyundai Elite i20
2016 Hyundai Elite i20hyundai.co.in/media

It looks like work on the automatic version of the Elite i20 has been ramped up as the competition in the segment is getting tougher with the arrival of new models. South Korean auto-major Hyundai is reportedly looking to roll out the automatic variant of its popular hatchback the Elite i20 in India this year.

A report of MotorOctane says that the Elite i20 automatic will be available in petrol version and the model is likely to come to the market soon. The Elite i20 is likely to get four-speed automatic gearbox in its new avatar. Hyundai may also consider launching the Elite i20 automatic with new petrol engine. According to the report, the hatchback is likely to get 1.4-litre petrol engine. However, nothing has been confirmed yet.

Launched in August 2014, the existing model of the Elite i20 gets 1.2 litre petrol engine and 1.4 litre CRDi diesel motor under the hood. While the petrol engine of Elite i20 can churn out 82bhp of power and peak torque of 114Nm, the diesel motor is tuned to generate 89bhp of power and peak torque of 220Nm. Recently, Hyundai also updated Elite i20 with Touchscreen Infotainment System.

The Elite i20 rivals Honda Jazz and Maruti Suzuki Baleno in India. Both the Jazz and the Baleno come with CVT gearbox on the petrol variants.

Hyundai is also said to be working on the facelift version of its Elite i20 hatchback. The changes in the new avatar of the Elite i20 are likely to include new features like new leather seat upholstery, auto day and night internal mirror, and advanced driver information system.