Hyundai will launch the Aura sub-4m sedan tomorrow. The compact car is based on the Grand i10 Nios hatchback. It will come with new BS6 petrol and diesel engines and a bit more kit than the already well-equipped hatch. We’ll know the prices of each of the 12 variants tomorrow and it will be launched in Nepalese market on upcoming days. Once launched, the Aura will rival the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Tata Tigor, and Volkswagen Ameo.

The first thing you notice about the Aura is its more prominent grille. It is flanked by projector headlamps and fog lamps. Other than the grille and front bumper, the Aura’s front is identical to its hatchback stablemate. Changes to the profile begin at the C-pillar. It is blacked-out to give the roof a floating appearance, but it obscures the smooth transition to the boot. At the rear, the fascia resembles a 9th-generation Accord coupe.  The sedan gets all of the Nios’ features and then some others too. For one, the dashboard is a dark shade of brown instead of silver. There are more steering-mounted controls as well. Other than these two features, the Aura is expected to be as spacious and possibly more cosy than the Grand i10 Nios. 

Hyundai has thoroughly reworked the suspension to handle the extra bulk. The company says the suspension has been stiffened and the damper valve is tuned differently. The Aura also gets more power-steering assistance and an increased steering ratio. This will likely make the Aura even easier to drive around town. The first is an iteration of the Kappa 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol, good for 83PS and 113Nm of torque. Then there’s the 75PS and 190Nm 1.2-litre Ecotorq diesel, which could give the Aura an edge over its post-BS6 rivals. Both these engines will be available with a 5-speed manual or an AMT automatic gearbox.   

The highlight for petrolheads is the 1.0-litre T-GDI turbocharged petrol engine from the Venue. Unfortunately, it will be available in one variant in the top-spec trim, so it could have a prohibitive price tag. A manual will be the only gearbox option. The Aura will be sold alongside its predecessor. The Xcent compact sedan is likely to be offered as a more affordable alternative to the premium Aura. While the Aura has interior aesthetics, the Xcent is on par when it comes to features. However, Hyundai may axe some variants of the Xcent to prevent cannibalism. 

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