​Hyundai drives in its micro SUV Exter to take on the Tata Punch

​Hyundai’s latest offering

​Hyundai Motor India has introduced its new entry-level SUV model, Exter, priced between Rs 5.99 lakh ($8,064) and Rs 9.31 lakh ($12,530) as part of a Rs 950 crore ($128 million) investment in India

​Mileage

​With fuel efficiencies of between 19.2 and 27.1 kilometres per litre, the model is targeted at the mileage-wary Indian customers.​

​Manual variant

The five-speed manual trims, which deliver fuel efficiency of 19.4 km per litre are priced between Rs 5.99 lakh and Rs 9.31 lakh.

Automatic variant

​The five-speed automatic variant is tagged at Rs 7.96 lakh with a claimed fuel efficiency of 19.2 km per litre.

​Power unit

​The Exter engine is a 1.2-litre petrol engine that churns out 83PS and 114Nm, the same as the Grand i10 Nios and Aura.

​Interiors

​The mini SUV has an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a wireless phone charger, single pane sunroof, automatic climate control and a dash cam with dual cameras.

Prime competitor

​The Exter will compete with Tata Motors Punch, which sells around 11,000 units per month.

​Demand for AMT and CNG variants

Hyundai’s other SUV offerings

​Hyundai already sells Venue, Creta, Alcazar, Tucson, Kona Electric and Ioniq 5 in the SUV segment.

​Company’s expansion plans

​Hyundai wants to enhance its annual production capacity to 8.5 lakh units per annum from 8.2 lakh units currently at its Chennai-based plant.