Hyundai chose the Chengdu motor show to launch its new Kia Soul and Nissan Juke-rivalling ix25 small crossover today (29 August 2014).
According to just-auto‘s Product Life Database (PLDB), the upcoming new model was first hinted at by the HCD12 Curb (Crossover-Urban) concept which was displayed in Detroit in January 2011. A pre-production model, the ix25 concept, made its world debut at the Beijing motor show in April 2014. Hyundai said then overall length was 4,270mm, width 1,780mm and height 1,630mm on a 2,590 wheelbase.
Circa-2,600mm wheelbases were a staple of the spacious front-drive D-segment sedans launched by Japanese and Asian automakers in the mid-1980s and this suggests the new Hyundai crossover has a roomy interior.
However, it will initially be built only for China though sales in in South Korea, North America, Europe, South America and elsewhere are likely later. The Curb model name might be used in some markets.
Show host city Chengdu is home to several Chinese automakers including Volvo owner Geely which makes the China-only S60L sedan and engines there.