BALANCED AND INVITING: 2023 HYUNDAI GRAND I10 1.2 M/T SEDAN

Sweet arias Bear with me as I roam esoteric fields about which I know nothing… India’s version of the Hyundai Grand i10 Sedan is named Aura and that’s my only justification for wandering here.

Further, if one could read this car’s aura, it would surely be rainbow-coloured: “Confident, doesn’t mind being seen and experienced by others, wears its heart on its sleeve, has balanced and inviting energies.”

But enough of that. A pair of 1200 cc sedans, in Fluid spec’, were recently added to the Grand i10 lineup. Transmissions are fivespeed manual or four-speed automatic and the only real differences between hatchbacks and sedans are that the saloon version is 180 mm longer, weighs 20 kg more, has two-tone interior trim - black and a whiter shade of pale grey in our Fiery Red manual test car and its boot is 42 litres bigger. The only catch is that the rear seatback can’t fold, so longer loads aren’t possible. Performance and economy numbers are as for equivalent hatchbacks.

What you get includes 15-inch alloy wheels; ABS brakes with EBD; two airbags; kid locks and ISOFix; normal parking brake; regular ignition key; reversing camera; park assist; tilt-adjustable steering wheel with satellite controls for audio, computer, Bluetooth and cruise control; manual air conditioning; powered windows; electric mirrors that can fold; manually adjustable seats covered in cloth and vinyl; auto-on halogen headlights, but LED DRLs. Central locking is by means of a button on the driver’s door but they release automatically when the ignition key is removed. Like its hatchback sisters, it was upgraded to the new, larger and much smarter, eight-inch infotainment screen – because it wears its heart on its sleeve.

The experience: Like other small

and naturally aspirated motors, it can be timid in hesitant hands, so take charge and give it revs. And use that slick-shifting gearbox to help it sing sweet arias. Your inner hooligan will thank you.

The boot, not cargo deck, loads at 75 centimetres into a lit space that’s 20cm deep, 85cm long and varying in width between 130- and 92cm as one leans in further. The equivalently sized spare, on a steel rim, lives beneath the baseboard.

Despite losing 25mm of rear headroom in translation to sedan form, the space still accommodates six-foot backseat passengers quite comfortably. Although there’s neither armrest nor cup holders, there is a pair of map pockets, a second courtesy lamp, an extension vent, a powered USB socket and door bins that accept bottles. Two head restraints and two and a half belts look after passengers’ safety.

Those up front enjoy yet more personal space, cup holders, visor mirrors, two USBs, 12-volt socket, plentiful storage including an open shelf above the cubby, and simple controls and menus.

Official figures indicate that only five percent of South African buyers choose cars with proper boots while the masses charge headlong into SUVs, Crossovers, hatchbacks, mommy-vans and dual-cabs – mostly in the mistaken belief that they “have to” be able to see above the roofs of minibus taxis. Those confident in themselves, and whose auras show inner contentment, are comfortable with sedans. Here’s one more.

Test unit from Hyundai Motor SA press fleet. The numbers Prices: Manual R285 500, automatic R315 900 Engine: 1 197cc, inline four-cylinder with MPI and 16 valves Power: 61 kW at 6 000 rpm Torque: 114 Nm at 4 000 rpm 0-100 km/h: 12.3 sec Top speed: 167km/h Real life fuel consumption: About

5.8 l/100km Tank: 37 litres Luggage: 402 litres SAE Ground clearance: 157mm Turning circle: 9.8 metres Towing mass: Not rated Warranty: Five years/150 000km with additional two years/50 000km on powertrain Roadside: Seven years/150 000km Service plan: One year/15 000km*