The Hyundai Atos was a city car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 1997. It was also marketed under the Atoz, Amica and Santro Xing model names. It was facelifted in 1999, from when it marketed as the Atos Prime, and in 2003. It has been available only with a five-door hatchback body style. It was replaced in most markets by the Hyundai i10 in 2007, but production continued in India till late 2014, when it was finally phased out.
Video Hyundai Atos
Overview
The first Atos was introduced in 1997. It is fitted with a 999cc engine and has a top speed of 88 mph (142 km/h). It was succeeded by a facelift version by 2000 and in 2003 another one. It was discontinued in Europe in 2007, in favour of the Indian assembled i10 and in other markets in 2011.
Maps Hyundai Atos
Other names
The Atos Prime is marketed as the:
- Hyundai Amica in the United Kingdom
- Hyundai Santro Xing in India
- Atos by Dodge in Mexico
- Kia Visto in Indonesia and South Korea (Hyundai also sold the original Atoz in Indonesia).
- Inokom Atos in Malaysia
- Hyundai Santro in Pakistan
The original Atos was sold under the Hyundai brand but rebadged as the Atoz (or "AtoZ") in some markets, including the United Kingdom. The Hyundai Santro is a rebadged version of the city car Hyundai Atos sold in some Asian markets.
Kia Visto is a re-badged Hyundai Atos Prime, although there is no Kia Visto by the name Hyundai Atos Prime in Indonesia or South Korea.
India
Hyundai entered the Indian market in 1997 with the Atos, marketed under the name Santro and various variants as Zip Drive, Zip Plus etc. Produced at Hyundai's factory in Chennai, its primary competitor at that time was the popular Maruti Suzuki Zen. The distinctive styling of the first generation had mixed reviews, but the car was a success primarily due to its power steering feature and price.
In the years since, the Indian version has undergone a number of upgrades in styling and technology to respond to consumer preferences. In 2003, the first generation (Zip) was replaced with the second generation Atos Prime, marketed in India as the Santro Xing, which enjoyed great sales success. The car was also exported from India in large volumes to the Asia and Oceania region.
In its final few years, Santro had become a popular option as a hatchback taxi, and the car was still selling close to 30,000 units per year when Hyundai made the decision to discontinue production.
Variants in India
The Hyundai Santro was first released in India in 1998.It came with three variants:
- Santro base, with AC and black bumpers, priced at 2,99,000 INR ex-showroom
- Santro DX 1, added with front power windows, central locking, high quality fabric upholstery an fabric inserts on door trims, body colored bumpers, rear wiper/washer/defogger, front fog lamps, waistline moulding and full wheel covers, priced at 3,49,000 INR.
- Santro DX 2, added with power steering and first in class rear seat belts, priced at 3,69,000 INR. These were often criticised for their appearance.
- In 2000, a new version called Santro Zip Drive was introduced. Changes included were things such as every variant got a power steering and a new grille.
- In 2002, a refreshed version called Santro Zip Plus was introduced. Changes included Clear Lens headlamps and taillamps and a better engine and performance.
- In 2003, the car underwent a complete facelift and was introduced as the Santro Xing. Pictures are given below alongside technical data.
Pakistan
The Santro was launched in Pakistan in 2000. As of December 2009, Pakistan is the only country where the first generation Atos is still being sold and the model has received no upgrades.But it was discontinued in 2012.Now, Hyundai is again being relaunched in the country and is going to release the latest model of Atos.
Malaysian market
In Malaysia, Hyundai Atos is locally assembled by Inokom carrying the badge Inokom Atos. The Inokom Atos Prima was later introduced in 2006 which has the new Atos Prime front while maintaining the original Atos rear.
Specifications
Figures as listed for the 2000-2003, 5 door, 1.0i model with GSi trim as sold in the UK (as the Amica), with standard options.
- Dimensions
- Length: 3,495 mm (137.6 in)
- Width: 1,495 mm (58.9 in)
- Height: 1,580 mm (62.2 in)
- Wheelbase: 2,380 mm (93.7 in)
- Unladen weight: 847 kg (1,867 lb)
- Technical data
- Fuel Delivery: Multi-Point Injection
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Engine size & layout: 996 cc, I4, 12 valves
- Peak Power: 40 kW (54.4 PS; 53.6 bhp)
- Peak Torque: 82 N?m (60 lb?ft)
- 0-60 mph (96 km/h): 14.6 s
- Top Speed: 160 km/h (99 mph)
- Fuel economy: 6.4 L/100 km (44 mpg-imp; 37 mpg-US)
- Emissions: 151 g CO2/km, other emissions below Euro III standard.
Atos EV
Hyundai unveiled at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show an electric vehicle based on the Atos, the Atos EV. The Atos EV weights 2,585 lb (1,173 kg), including the battery pack, which holds 24 nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. An on-board 6.6 kW conductive charger can fully recharge the Ni-MH batteries in seven hours. The Atos EV can travel more than 120 miles (193 km) in stop and go city driving and can reach a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h).
Awards
- Best compact car in Initial Quality 2004, Malaysia Initial Quality Study, awarded best car of the year 2006.
Gallery
References
External links
- Hyundai Santro Xing (India)
Source of article : Wikipedia
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