Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus LPG Special Edition

Santro Xing GL Plus LPG Special Edition Review

Hyundai Motor Company is the second biggest car maker in the country and has been prevalent since year, 1996. The first car of this company was their most popular hatchback till date, Hyundai Santro. This adorable hatchback was first launched way back in year, 1998 and since then has been ruling the hearts of millions of users in the country. Back in those years, there was not much competition and there were very few hatchbacks in the country’s automobile market. The company has done quite a few changes to the exteriors as well as the interiors of this hatchback in all these years. Apart from these cosmetic changes, the company has also given it quite a few impressive features and has changed its name as well. This hatchback is now called as Hyundai Santro Xing and is being offered in petrol as well as an LPG variant for the buyers to choose from. There are also speculations that this best selling hatchback will be rolled out in a diesel avatar as well. Once this happens, there are assumptions that the fortunes of the company will shine as the Indian car market is presently more inclined towards the diesel engine based cars, due to the petrol costs hitting the roof. The prevalent petrol version has been fitted with a performance packed 1.1L engine, which has been proven to be very reliable in all these years. There is another variant that gives the option of using both petrol and LPG as well, which is called as the Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus Eco. The engine of this dual fuel based hatchback is the similar 1.1 L e-RLX engine, which is extremely fuel efficient and has apt power and torque for the Indian road conditions. Apart from this remarkable engine, this hatchback Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus LPG has been bestowed with some notable safety and comfort features. These include impressive safety features like central locking, engine immobilizer for any unauthorized entries. Then there are front power windows, power steering and a powerful air conditioner as well to add to the comfort level of the driver as well as the other passengers.

Exteriors

This hatchback, Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus has pretty good exteriors, which are refreshing and very charming as well. The front façade of this hatchback has subtly designed body colored front radiator grille, which also has the badge of the company affixed on it. Then there are the large clear lens head lights that have been powered with halogen lamps for better visibility. The bonnet is neatly designed and the body colored front bumper adds to the beauty of this hatchback. The tinted front windshield has a couple of intermittent wiper with enough speed to give the driver a clear vision during the rains. The side profile has body colored door handles and also body colored outside rear view mirrors as well. The finely carved out wheel arches have been fitted with sturdy steel rims, which have tyres of size 155/70 R13 tubeless radials for a better grip on the roads . The rear end has a large wind shield along with a bright clear lens tail lamp cluster, which has stop lamps along with the reversing light and the side turn blinkers. Apart from all this, Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus also has tinted glass for all the windows and detachable bumper insert mouldings as well. This hatchback, Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus is quite spacious and its dimensions are fairly spacious as well. The overall length of this hatchback is 3565mm along with a total width of 1525mm, which includes the external rear view mirrors as well. Then the total height of this hatchback is about 1590mm along with a roomy wheel base of 2380mm. The minimum turning radius of this adorable hatchback is about 4.4 meters and it has a fuel tank capacity to store 35 litres of petrol as well .

Interiors

The insides of this hatchback are done up quite nicely with good space for five passengers and a comfortable seating arrangement. The interiors are in two tone beige and brown color combination, which makes this hatchback look stylish. Other features include B and C pillar trims, a rear parcel tray for keeping the much needed things at hand, a smart front speaker grille on the dash board, an ash tray, a rear speaker grille, front map lamp, a modish silver finish on the central console as well as on the air conditioner vents, cup holders and a chrome finished gear shift knob. The front seats are integrated and are covered with beige and brown premium upholstery, while the rear seats have integrated head restraints.

Engine and performance

The Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus has been equipped with a 1.1 litre, petrol drive train that has a single over head cam shaft (SOHC). This peppy engine has been fitted with 4 cylinders and can displace close to 1086cc . This energetic power train has been cleverly coupled with a smooth and efficient five speed manual gear box transmission. This influential engine has the capacity to generate a maximum power yield of 61.74 Bhp at 5000 Rpm in combination of a peak torque output of 96 Nm at 3000 Rpm. The company has equipped this hatchback with a few power and fuel enhancing technologies. This lively Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus has an active intelligence technology that powers this drive train. It includes a total of three ground breaking mechanisms, which are the RHiA (Rotary Head Intelligent Valve Actuator) that helps in delivering more power. Then there is the DPiL (Differentially Programmed Intelligent Injection) that supplies fuel to the engine depending on the driving condition. Lastly, there is the RTiL (Real Time Intelligent Ignition system) that helps in ultra low emissions. This energetic engine can propel this hatchback, Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus to a top speed of 141 kmph, while it takes about 16.2 seconds to cross the 100 kmph barrier from a stand still . The mileage of this impressive hatchback is said to be between 8.44 to 11.88 kmpl , under standard driving conditions.

Braking and Handling

The front brakes of this hatchback have been fitted with a ventilated disc, while the rear end gets a self adjusting drum that has the capacity to adapt under different driving conditions. On the other hand, the suspension system of this hatchback, Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus keeps it balanced and stable. The front axle has been equipped with a McPherson strut type suspension mechanism, which also has a coil spring. Whereas, the rear axle has been fitted with a torsion beam axle again with a coil spring to balance this hatchback and keep it steady even in bad road conditions.

Safety Features

The company has equipped this hatchback, Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus with some very vital and essential safety features, which will take care of the passengers as well as of this vehicle. The list includes child safety rear door locks for enhanced protection of the toddlers and children. Then there are the dual side impact beams that will minimize the damage to the sides in case of a crash, high quality seat belts for front as well as the rear passengers. The power steering column is collapsible as well as energy absorbing. This hatchback also has a day and night rear view mirror, keyless entry, central locking along with self locking doors, an engine immobilizer to further enhance the safety quotient and a few more such critical features for the safety and the security of this hatchback and the occupants.

Comfort Features

Hyundai Motors has been generous enough to equip this hatchback, Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus with some very exciting and practical comfort features. Some of these impressive features are an competently cooling air conditioner unit with heater that cools the entire cabin very quickly, a tripmeter and an odometer to assist the driver, a low fuel warning lamp to alert when the fuel is low and needs refilling, a power steering that is very responsive and helps in maneuvering this hatchback efficiently, front power windows, remote fuel lid and boot lid release for added comfort, intermittent front wiper and washer and quite a few other such remarkable feature to add to the convenience quotient of this delightful hatchback, Hyundai Santro Xing GL Plus.

Pros

Subtle yet striking exteriors, interior features are fairly good; engine is quite peppy and powerful.

Cons

Mileage should be improved; lack of music system and a few other comfort features should be added to spice it up.