According to Hyundai, Ni1i is the company’s first hybrid car in the Indian market. Hyundai has decided to enter the hybrid car manufacturing industry to keep up with the new trends and compete with other car manufacturers in the same segment in the market. A recent sharing by the company’s representative on MotorBeam pointed out that the hybrid car market is growing steadily in India due to strong demand for fuel-efficient alternatives amid rising prices.
Hyundai also aims to compete with high-riding 3-row models such as the Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari. Although the company has not officially announced the powertrain of the Ni1i, according to initial data, it is likely that the Ni1i will be equipped with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine combined with an electric motor. In case the company wants to compete on price, this hybrid model will be equipped with a 1.5 gasoline engine combined with an electric motor.
In terms of size, the new model is expected to be 4,630 mm long and based on the platform of the Tucson LWB model in China which is 4,680 mm. Therefore, the interior space of Ni1i will be more spacious, especially the third row of seats.
Carmakers like Toyota and Suzuki have been leading the hybrid trend in India, while domestic players like Tata Motors and Mahindra have focused on electric vehicles. However, if the demand for hybrids continues to grow, domestic players may have to adjust their strategies.
With the upcoming Ni1i, the company is not only expanding its SUV lineup but also entering and competing head-to-head with the hybrid segment in India. As new energy vehicles gain traction, the Ni1i will play a key role in Hyundai’s strategy to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving automotive industry.
The Hyundai Ni1i model not only challenges current competitors such as Mahindra XUV700; Tata Safari but also provides users with more choices in the hybrid SUV segment.
