India’s booming passenger vehicle market which, along with the unabated demand for SUVs, is also witnessing a shift towards performance-oriented cars, saw Hyundai Motor India launch the sporty avatar of the Creta today. The Creta N Line sports the Korean carmaker’s distinctive N Line design language, tuned dynamics and state-of-the-art technology.
Named ‘N’ after Hyundai’s Namyang R&D centre in Korea and Hyundai’s European Technical Centre at the Nürburgring race track in Germany, the N-badged Hyundai cars are popular in global markets like Germany and the UK. The ‘N-Line cars’ that run the most powerful engine in the range, get some suspension modifications and have some sporty additions on the exterior and interior. Both the N and N Line have given brand Hyundai a positive rub-off and plenty of respect. The Creta, the best-selling midsize SUV in India, has just received the N Line treatment and is likely to further accelerate the model’s sales.
Hyundai Motor India states that it is witnessing growing demand for its performance-oriented N Line sub-brand introduced three years ago in the domestic market. The Creta N Line, launched at a starting price of Rs 16.82 lakh, is the third model in Hyundai Motor India’s N Line model range after the 120 N Line hatchback launched in September 2021 and the Venue N Line compact SUV launched in September 2022.
With the N Line trim on the Creta, the company aims to expand its customer base and draw driving enthusiasts. The Creta N Line is powered by a potent 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, coupled with either a 7-DCT or 6-MT gearbox.
Six airbags are standard fitment on the Creta N Line which is equipped with all of 42 standard safety features and over 70 advanced safety features.
The high-on-tech SUV gets a voice-enabled smart panoramic sunroof as well as over 70 advanced safety features, including ADAS and extensive application of advanced, and high-strength steel in its construction. Overall, the Creta N Line receives over 30 sporty upgrades, including both aesthetic and performance-oriented changes.
According to Unsoo Kim, Managing Director and CEO, Hyundai Motor India, “Today consumers aspire to buy products that mirror their lifestyle and personality. HMIL has made a significant stride in India’s automotive market in the last several years, and we take pride in offering such products and services. We continue to revolutionise the industry through our products, technology, and innovation. We will continue to bring exciting products and technologies to fulfill customer demand.”
“The Creta N Line resonates with new-age customers who wish to have a striking presence on the road,” Kim added.
i20 and Venue N-Line sales drive past 22,000 units
Since the N Line sub-brand was introduced in India, cumulative sales of the i20 N Line and Venue N Line have exceeded 22,000 units, and contributed to over 20% of the company’s turbo-GDI petrol powertrain volumes.
“Moreover, the N Line buyer is completely different, and almost 82% of them prefer choosing the top-end variants,” revealed Tarun Garg, Chief Operating Officer, HMIL. “N Line is not about volumes, it is about taking care of customers who represent young India,” pointed out Garg and added that, “at 13%, women N Line buyers cross the average women buyer consumer base in India’s passenger vehicle market.”
As per the car and SUV manufacturer, the sporty derivatives of some of its mainstream models are giving it a competitive edge, drawing discerning buyers who value performance, technology, and uncompromised driving dynamics from its competitors, and fetching additional volumes.
Refreshed Creta receives 80,000 bookings
Hyundai Motor India, which recently achieved the one-million-unit sales milestone for the Creta, its best-selling product, is seeing demand grow with the second-generation Creta. Launched on January 16, the third-generation Creta has already received over 80,000 bookings thus far.
“The Creta continues to receive customer appreciation, and the introduction of the N Line, is a stepping stone for more heights,” Garg said, while testifying the SUV’s success with the 15,276-unit best-ever monthly sales in February 2024. In the first 11 months of FY2024, the Creta has clocked cumulative sales of 146,315 units and is currently ranked fourth among India’s best-selling utility vehicles.
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