Hyundai i10 Asta 1.2 Kappa2 - Performance Review

The big news about the new i10, apart from the new design, is the upgraded 1.2-litre petrol engine aptly christened ‘Kappa2’. It’s still a 1197cc powerplant that puts out 80PS of power and 112Nm of torque, but the new magic comes in the forms of variable valve timing. Though the peak power now comes at a higher, 6,000 rpm, the ‘VTVT’ ensures optimum torque spread across the entire rev band. The i10 Kappa 2 will trot around effortlessly in traffic and enough low end torque, while the meaty mid range and the rev-happy nature of the engine makes overtaking easy and fun.

The ARAI has approved a fuel efficiency figure of 20.36kmpl for the i10 1.2 Kappa2, which is quite manageable, considering yours truly managed to squeeze out 34.94kmpl on one of the older i10’s mileage drives. But in real world conditions, the new i10 returned an overall fuel efficiency in the range of 14.5-15 kmpl after undergoing all our testing torture. Speaking of which, the new i10 can comfortably manage speeds of 140kmph before the unnerving feedback kicks in. These figures and feedback, however, will differ in varying conditions. Around the twisties the i10 Kappa2 is a potent handler. The engine is peppy and makes you push the car more, but with fuel efficient slim tyres, the i10 does seem skittish when pushed hard. The suspension is well calibrated and while it doesn’t induce a massive body roll as you would expect from a tall-boy, it absorbs the undulations on the road surface rather well compared to the other cars in its segment. The mechanicals are mated to safety features like ABS and airbags (driver and passenger), should the spirited driving go out of control. Speaking of the ABS, the i10’s unit feels very well sorted and doesn’t have the jittery feedback that one experiences on some of the other cars in its segment.

Verdict: The i10 has always been an impressive city car and the refreshed model only makes things better. The steep price tag, close to the Rs. 7 lakh mark, seems like a steep ask and it no doubt is. But if you are looking for a city car that comes with features that are generally found only on higher end sedans, has the safety features that ensure peace of mind and is small and peppy enough to zip through traffic and perch within crowded parking lots, then the i10 perfectly makes sense even at its high sticker price. If creature comforts or safety features aren’t on your priority, the i10 offers a wide range of base and mid-range variants to select from at considerably cheaper price tags, making the overall i10 line-up a strong contender and justifying its high sales volumes!

Also check:

Hyundai i10 Design Review

Hyundai i10 User Experience