Hyundai Bayon: Name Confirmed for Upcoming SUV Launch in India, Promises “Intelligent Experiences”

Hyundai is gearing up to launch a number of new models and facelifts over the next few years as it races to recapture its number-two position on the India sales charts. The first two all-new models have been confirmed to be a locally developed electric compact SUV and an ICE compact SUV based on the international Bayon.

Now, the company has confirmed that the latter will be called Bayon in India. The name is inspired by Bayonne, a city in the Basque region of France, and is intended to convey Hyundai’s global design philosophy. This new SUV is expected to launch within the ongoing festive season, and additional teasers are also likely to drop over the next few weeks.

While there is no firm launch date yet and no indication of pricing, Hyundai Motor India has confirmed a few details beyond the Bayon name. Calling the upcoming SUV “a new approach to intelligent mobility”, the company says it will showcase Hyundai’s global design efforts and product philosophy.

The upcoming Bayon in India is expected to be positioned between the Venue and Creta, ahead of the latter's next refresh. Camouflaged test units have been spotted in India, indicating a boxy stance and slim LED lighting elements. It’s expected to offer premium cabin comforts with a modern design. Leaks and rumours suggest that it will likely share the Creta’s 1.5 litre NA petrol engine, but Hyundai could also offer a CNG version as the market has grown to accept alternative fuels.

In a press statement, Tarun Garg, MD & CEO, HMIL, said, “Bayon represents a new mindset – one that reflects our ambition to create experiences that are intelligent, intuitive and meaningful for our customers”. He added, “With Bayon, we have once again challenged ourselves to pursue perfection in the details that matter, while staying true to our belief that technology creates its greatest value when it becomes effortless and seamlessly integrated into our customers’ everyday lives.”