Santro headed to SA as new Atos

HYUNDAI has breathed new life into one of its most iconic nameplates by unveiling the long awaited Santro in India, which will reportedly return to SA as the next generation Atos.

Set to rival the likes of the imminent updated Datsun Go, Renault Kwid and Suzuki Celerio, the Santro retains the tall stance of its predecessor, but boasts a more controversial design with the top mounted headlights being split from the fog lights by the Hyundai’s trademark Cascading grille, a flowing rear door line, inwards moving C-pillar and a rear fascia design not dissimilar to the first generation Grand i10.

Available in a choice of seven colours: Polar White, Typhoon Silver, Imperial Beige, Stardust, Fiery Red, Dyna Green and Marina Blue, the Santro measures 3 610mm in overall length with a wheelbase of 2 400mm, height of 1 560mm and width of 1 645mm.

Inside, the interior also takes cues from both the Grand i10 and Kona, with higher spec models coming equipped with a seven-inch touchscreen display incorporating Bluetooth, USB Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.

A segment first, the Santro also comes with rear air conditioning vents and safety in the form of a driver’s airbag and ABS with EBD on all models, while the Asta variant, apart from gaining a passenger’s airbag, rear parking sensors and a reverse camera, swaps the standard beige interior for a black finish, complete with green body inserts when specified in the Dyna Green hue.

In India, the Santro will go on sale with a choice of five trim levels; D-Lite, Era, Magna, Sportz and Asta with all being powered by a 1.1-litre petrol engine that develops 50kW/99Nm when running on petrol, or 43kW/84Nm when powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).

Standard on all models is a fivespeed manual gearbox, with some also receiving a five-speed automated manual.

Fuel consumption is rated at 4.9-litres/100km for the petrol.

While Hyundai SA has yet to officially confirm whether the Santro will become the Atos, expect it to be offered only with the conventional petrol engine and a more limited model line-up.

When it does get the green light, chances are that sales could commence towards the end of this year or in early 2019.