If you are as a lot of a Tintin enthusiast as I am, you will know of Standard Alcazar, the knife-throwing army dictator who hits his focus on with extraordinary precision. The Hyundai Alcazar also has been exactly aimed in between the Creta and Tucson, to plug a large gap that existed in Hyundai’s SUV line-up. No, the Alcazar hasn’t been named soon after the Tintin character, but soon after the royal and resplendent Moorish Castles in Spain, which the enterprise says has been the inspiration for its all-new SUV. That perhaps internet marketing waffle for which some company should have been paid thousands and thousands, but the corny name aside, the Alcazar, now globally unveiled, factors at the seriousness with which Hyundai is targeting the SUV space. The car I drove was a camouflaged prototype, not totally to output-spec but it gave me a taste of what to anticipate.
Hyundai Alcazar: exteriors
Hyundai has extensively re-engineered and stretched the Creta’s system on which the Alcazar is based mostly, to effectively slip in an additional row of seats. This meant stretching the wheelbase to 2,760mm, the longest in its class and a massive 150mm additional than the Creta, to unlock sufficient space to deliver cozy 6- and seven-seat configurations. But prior to we dive into the cabin, it’s well worth highlighting the raft of exterior design modifications that have presented the Alcazar a distinctive identity of its personal. The Alcazar’s chrome-studded grille appears to be a lot additional top quality than the Creta’s and while the headlight cluster is the equivalent, redesigned fog lamps with chrome surrounds, a slimmer entrance scuff plate distinguishes it from its more compact sibling. The large modify, of study course, is on the facet, which gets an additional-extensive area and a independent quarter glass, which substantially increase the rear overhang. Upsizing to 18-inch wheels (from the Creta’s 17-inchers) has created a environment of a change. Not only do the bigger wheels give the Alcazar a nicely planted stance but they aid in watering down the bulky influence of that massive overhang. The thick, double character lines on the rear fender and the blacked-out D-pillar give some aid as well and nicely balance the tail area.
Bigger 18-inch wheels above the Creta’s 17-inchers, look awesome.
The built-in footstep appears to be neat also but never really provide any practical intent, as the Alcazar is very low and the wide rear doorway can make obtaining in and out quite straightforward.
The horizontal rear tail-lights, connected with a metallic strip and beefy scuff plate, are once more distinctive to the Alcazar, but bits like the bonnet, entrance doorways, rear-watch mirrors are common with the Creta. In general, the Alcazar appears to be a lot additional grown up than the Creta but still doesn’t have the similar road presence as the wider and all round more time Safari or the Hector Furthermore, for that make any difference.
The rear of the Alcazar appears to be distinctive when in contrast to the Creta.
Hyundai Alcazar: interiors
And width is not anything the Alcazar has in abundance. While substantially more time than the Creta, it’s just as wide (or slender) as the car it’s derived from, and that offers it a bit of a drawback versus other three-row SUV rivals. But Hyundai designers have utilised each individual millimetre of interior space to make the cabin as cozy as achievable. Just about every row of seats, has a assortment of adjustments that let travellers to juggle space in between all three rows and locate a delighted compromise. The entrance buckets are comfortable sufficient but it’s the way the center row has been made that is truly amazing. The seven-seater edition with a sixty:forty split bench gets fantastic beneath-thigh assistance, adjustable again rests, and if there’s no just one in the third row, it can be slid again for additional knee place, which is if not compromised by the flip up tray tables. Sitting three abreast is a bit of a squeeze and accentuates the slender width of the cabin. So, if you never need to have the additional seat, it’s improved to go for the 6-seater variant with captain’s seats, which are even additional cozy and arrive with distinctive floor-mounted central armrest with cupholders and additional storage space.
Some bits, like the wing mirrors and entrance doorways, have been carried above from the Creta.
The just one-touch tumble procedure, which flips and folds the center seats for straightforward accessibility to the third row, is really slick. Having said that, wiggling into the rearmost seats does choose some effort and it is ideal for young children, though it can utilised by older people at a pinch. You sit low down but not totally on the floor, and if you slide the center row forward for additional knee place and recline the again relaxation, brief journeys are tolerable. A set of dedicated air con vents to hold you great and a sense of airiness from the large rear quarter glass make the third row simpler to endure also. You also get a pair of USB ports.
Boot space, with all with all three rows in put, is very amazing. A largish bag, along with a several more compact gentle kinds, can be squeezed guiding the third row, and an beneath floor compartment offers you some extra storage. Flip the final row down and boot space raises substantially to swallow a mountain of luggage.
Entrance parking sensors and 360-degree camera predicted on the Alcazar.
Hyundai hasn’t shared the Alcazar’s closing tools list, and with the dashboard also camouflaged, it was hard to explain to what the Alcazar will arrive with. It’s harmless to say, however, that the Creta’s 10.twenty five-inch touchscreen infotainment program with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with Hyundai’s connected car tech with wi-fi charging and a 360 degree camera, will be carried above. The Alcazar will also get a several additional goodies than the Creta, like a even larger electronic instrument panel with several modes and configurable ambient lights. What we do know for positive is that the Alcazar gets the Creta’s panoramic sunroof and rear disc brakes, which are normal throughout all variants.
Hyundai Alcazar: driving impressions
The Alcazar gets two engine options –the tried out and tested 115hp,1.5-litre diesel from the Creta, which has been recalibrated for the even larger and heavier seven-seater, and a petrol, which is not the similar 140hp 1.four-litre TGDI unit but a bigger and additional strong 159hp 2.-litre normally aspirated motor, in retaining with the Alcazar’s higher positioning and price tag point. This petrol is effectively the similar 2.-litre ‘Nu’ engine discovered beneath the hood of the Tucson and Elantra, but the Alcazar gets the most recent, third-generation edition, which is additional effective, refined and gets a slight bump up in ability (by 7hp). Each, the diesel and petrol Alcazar arrive with 6-velocity guide and 6-velocity torque converter automatic gearbox options. There is no DCT accessible.
For our transient check push, we had been presented only the petrol variant with the 6-velocity guide. Initially impressions threading via the labyrinth of slender lanes outside Fort Alila in Bishangarh is of a clean but a bit hefty clutch and a awesome and accurate brief-toss gearbox. On the initially open extend I got, I found out an engine that is clean and really flexible. It pulls cleanly from 1,000rpm to practically seven,000rpm in just one seamless, solid surge. Like most extensive-stroke engines, it’s not really no cost-revving but has a wide and really useable ability band and ample torque to compensate for the tall gearing (it does pretty much 60kph in initially gear). You do skip the mid-assortment punch and the joy of using a wave of torque you only get in a turbo-petrol and, in contrast, the linear ability shipping of the Alcazar’s 2.-litre engine masks its velocity. But be in no doubt, regardless of getting all-around 150kg heavier than the 1.four TGDI Creta, the Alcazar is quicker and, in point, when we last but not least get to strap our VBOX on it, it could be the swiftest accelerating SUV in its class.
159hp, 2.-litre petrol engine gives brisk effectiveness.
Tuned additional towards comfort and ease than sporty handling, the Alcazar has a comfortable experience and bumps are nicely rounded off. The extensive wheelbase and stiff system (created from seventy five per cent high-power metal) offers you a lot of confidence at high velocity. There is a fair bit of system roll via corners and though the handling is not sharp or agile, the mature dynamics make this car straightforward to control. Even though the experience comfort and ease in the initially and next row is exceptionally fantastic, the similar can’t be said about the third row. The concern is that the rear most seat travellers are sitting on the rear axle line and can truly feel the bumps a fair bit additional.
Hyundai Alcazar: initially verdict
As pure seven-seater the Alcazar works well if you restrict the third row to small children, but it can make a improved situation for alone as a roomy and cozy four-or 5-seater. The Alcazar’s center row is specially comfortable, in particular the variant with the captain’s seats, which is likely to account for the bulk of Alcazar gross sales. Envisioned in showrooms at the conclude of April, the Alcazar is likely to be priced a notch beneath the Tata Safari and Hector Furthermore, or all-around Rs 1.5 lakh additional than the Creta. That’s a sweet spot in the market place that Hyundai hopes to seize.
Also see:
Hyundai Alcazar prototype online video critique
Hyundai Alcazar revealed in output guise