Last month we reported that Hyundai has laid out its new expansive product strategy which involves the launch of 26 models in India by the end of this decade. The new product onslaught from the South Korean carmaker will lead to many brand new cars on Indian roads in the coming years that will be accompanied by a series of new technologies from the company.
According to Autocar India, Hyundai is working on a new 1.2-litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection (TGDi) engine that will be developed locally. This new turbo petrol engine will play a crucial role in powering Hyundai’s future hybrid models and compact crossover models.
Hyundai 1.2L turbocharged petrol: Hybrid in making
The new four-cylinder power mill is being developed to deliver high fuel efficiency and seamlessly integrate with electrified platforms. This aligns with the company’s broader strategic shifts towards hybrid powertrains across its mass-market segment. Currently, Hyundai offers two turbocharged petrol engines in India: a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder GDI unit and a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder GDI unit.
Hyundai’s objective is to bridge the gap between these engines, offering more torque and drivability than the 1.0-litre turbo petrol unit, while being more compact and fuel-efficient than the 1.5-litre unit. Moreover, this new three-cylinder pot is being engineered for strong hybrid compatibility that will pave the way for battery-assisted combustion engine powertrains for Hyundai.
Hyundai 1.2L turbocharged petrol: Transmission & future models
The report also states that the new 1.2-litre turbo GDi engine will likely be produced in India, with a strong focus on localization to maintain competitive pricing. This engine is expected to be paired with either a dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) or e-CVT, depending on the application. The hybrid tech will ensure that the engine will comply with the upcoming CAFE 3 and BS7 emission standards.
Hyundai’s focus on a new 1.2-litre petrol engine stems from the fact that its biggest rival— Maruti Suzuki— developed a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine that is also capable of incorporating a hybrid technology. This new power plant made its debut in the new-gen Swift and Dzire launched last year. Like Maruti, Hyundai also plans widespread use of its 1.2-litre petrol engine in a variety of models in different forms.
This new powertrain will also find its way into the Kia lineup, which is a sister brand of Hyundai. The 1.2-litre TGDi engine is expected to power future models like the all-new Bayon, the next-gen models of Creta, Venue, and i20. This engine is most likely to make its debut in the Bayon (internally codenamed BC4i) which is slated for a market launch in India in the latter half of 2026.