Hyundai Motors India is likely to discontinue the diesel variants of the i20 premium hatchback in the country due to the upcoming RDE (Real Driving Emissions) norms that will come into effect from April 2023.
As per the reports, the sale of the diesel-powered Hyundai i20 is around 10 per cent of the total sales of the hatch. So, updating the powertrain for the revised emission standards might not be advantageous for the Korean marque.
For those who aren’t aware, the new RDE (Real Driving Emission) norms will require all diesel cars to be equipped with the expensive SCR (selective catalytic reduction) method of emissions control that lowers tailpipe emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) through a chemical reaction using the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (AdBlue) that converts pollutants into nitrogen, water, and tiny amounts of CO2. Up until now, small diesel with lower pollution levels has been able to comply with existing emissions standards with the simpler & inexpensive Lean NOx Trap (LNT) system. So adding the SCR system will increase the prices of small diesel cars. A majority of larger diesel engines (generally exceeding 2.0 litres) have already adopted the SCR system during the BS6 transition phase.
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Currently, the Hyundai i20 utilises a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that makes 100PS at 4,000rpm and 240Nm at 1,500-2,750rpm. With its discontinuation, the i20 will be sold only with the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. However, the oil burner will continue to serve in models like Venue and Creta, which still makes around 35 per cent and over 60 per cent of diesel sales, respectively.
We believe it’s high time for Hyundai to introduce new self-charging hybrid cars.
