Hyundai's new SUV to be called Bayon, slotted between Venue and Creta
Hyundai has confirmed its upcoming SUV will be named Bayon and positioned between the Venue and Creta in its lineup.
The suspense over Hyundai's upcoming SUV, spotted testing on roads for several months, is finally over. Hyundai India has confirmed that the all-new car will be called the Hyundai Bayon. It will be launched in the segment between the company's Venue and Creta.
For customers who found the Venue a bit too small and the Creta a bit too much on budget or size, this car could be the right option. Hyundai has officially announced the name, and full specifications and pricing are expected in the coming weeks, suggesting the car could launch next month.
The name Bayon is derived from Bayonne, a beautiful city in the Basque region of France. Hyundai said the aim was for the region's culture, energy and character to be reflected in the car. With the name announcement, automobile enthusiasts also got the answer to a puzzle.
Earlier this month, test cars spotted on the road had a distinctive white camouflage bearing words like Innovation, Transformation and Evolution, with the letters "ON" highlighted in red. Hyundai's entire campaign was built around the tagline "Intelligence ON," with that coding hinting at the name Bayon all along. Hyundai Motor India CEO Tarun Garg described the launch as not just a new model but a major shift in approach.
Even before the official name announcement, spy shots had revealed several design features of the SUV, including a boxy, upright stance, flat roof, roof rails, square wheel arches and door handles. The Indian version is said to have a bolder SUV look compared with the Bayon sold in the European market. The cabin will get two digital screens, one for the digital instrument cluster and one for infotainment, along with Hyundai's new four-dot steering wheel. High-tech features such as a 360-degree camera, sunroof, connected car technology and ADAS are expected, though these could be limited to select variants.
The company has not given any official details on the engine yet, but it is believed the 1.5-litre petrol engine and CNG option used in the Creta could also be offered. No pricing has been announced either; according to automobile analysts, the ex-showroom price could be between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 15 lakh. All figures currently circulating online are estimates, with the official price to be announced by Hyundai soon.
Once launched in the Indian market, the Hyundai Bayon will compete directly with cars such as the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Toyota Taisor, Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite. Buyers considering a new car in this segment may benefit from waiting a few weeks.
