Smart Answer: Tiny Hyundai from India

[E-SMART]

(as appeared on Autoweek - I think I've seen earlier mentions of the i10 but not many photos - see link at the end):

Hyundai Motor Co. is nearing a decision to bring a small car sized between the Smart ForTwo and the Honda Fit to the United States--and may source it from India.

Company insiders say the car will be the i10, a five-door hatchback produced in Chennai, India, that gets up to 56 mpg. The i10 went on sale last October and is sold in about 70 countries.

The car could be marketed here as a Hyundai or Kia or both.

"We're really watching sales of the Smart car," said a Hyundai source who asked not to be identified. "If the Smart does well, we will probably definitely get this car."

The i10 is 140 inches long-21 inches shorter than the Fit and 34 inches longer than the Smart ForTwo. Hyundai sources say the i10 would need beefing up for the United States.

"We will put about 400 or so pounds into it and bring it up to U.S. safety standards," said the Hyundai source. "This is a real working prototype. When we get cars at this stage, there's a good chance they're a go."

The five-speed manual version weighs 1,892 pounds, and the four-speed automatic is 2,094 pounds. The 1.5-liter Fit hatchback weighs 2,432 pounds; the Smart weighs 1,808 pounds.

Hyundai engineers in the United States have been charged with pumping up the engine.

The i10's 80-hp, 1.2-liter engine is more powerful than the Smart's engine and delivers a combined 47 mpg. The 66-hp, 1.1-liter version gets about 56 mpg.

Standard features on the most upscale version include keyless entry, antilock brakes, fog lamps and dual airbags. Prices in India range from about $7,800 to $11,200.

Smart answer: A tiny Hyundai from India - AutoWeek Magazine

[vwW12]

Originally Posted by E-SMART

[...] said a Hyundai source who asked not to be identified. "If the Smart does well, we will probably definitely get this car."

As opposed to definitively maybe?

[MPrice2984]

Hyundai builds some excellent cars, the sub Accent size Getz is a big seller as a Dodge product in Mexico. If Hyundai had a micro car in the states available I would have already purchased one.

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by E-SMART

...."We will put about 400 or so pounds into it and bring it up to U.S. safety standards," said the Hyundai source....

Smart answer: A tiny Hyundai from India - AutoWeek Magazine

Well, there goes the mileage!!!!!!

[SunDiego]

Originally Posted by chieftmc

Well, there goes the mileage!!!!!!

+1

[Smartfor2guy]

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by E-SMART;124488
"We will put about [B

400 or so pounds[/B] into it and bring it up to U.S. safety standards," said the Hyundai source. "This is a real working prototype. When we get cars at this stage, there's a good chance they're a go."


Smart answer: A tiny Hyundai from India - AutoWeek Magazine

OR in my case, it would only take ME and MY LUNCH to bring it up to 'US Safety Standards' on the way into work. of course for the return trip, i would have to wait until i got home to go to the bathroom or i might be in violation of some government regulation........

the down side i see is that it's a FOUR DOOR. sorry, not for me unless they offer a THREE DOOR HATCH. then maybe......but until then, i'll wait it out for my smart.

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by Smartfor2guy

well, i was going to 'quote' you, but i think you said it best so i'll leave well enough alone........

[2smartArizona]

I wonder what mods they would have to make to get it into the US market....might take a long time and the car might not even look the same in the end.
I personally don't like it, but I am sure that it would appeal to a large number of people.

[nemo1]

Hey, the steering wheel's on the wrong side! ;). I got an idea - since it's a cross between a Smart, and a Honda fIT, they should call it a S*IT!