Hyundai should present HB20’s ‘big brother’ in Brazil during the World Cup

Hyundai plans to take advantage of the 2026 World Cup to present the new generation of the i20. The South Korean automaker, official sponsor of the tournament that will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada, is expected to launch between June 10 and 11, coinciding with the opening ceremony of the competition. The novelty is especially interesting for Brazil, since the i20 may be the new model produced by the brand in Piracicaba (SP).

This is what the investigation of the Estado de S. Paulo says. Although previous interpretations of brand announcements suggested that the novelty would be the Bayon SUV, industry sources confirm to the newspaper that the focus of the presentation is the i20 hatchback. The model will be manufactured in Brazil and will maintain the global nomenclature, serving as a strategic evolution for the company’s portfolio in the country.

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What does the Hyundai i20 look like?

Internally, the vehicle is positioned as a “bigger brother” of the HB20. With expanded dimensions and greater technological refinement, the i20 will occupy the step immediately below the Creta SUV. In the Brazilian market, the mission is to face competitors such as the Volkswagen Tera, the Chevrolet Sonic and the top-of-the-line versions of the Chevrolet Onix.

Production will take place at Hyundai’s São Paulo unit. The plant received significant modernizations as part of the US$ 1.1 billion investment cycle announced by the automaker for Brazil until 2032. With the expansion, the production capacity jumped to 215 thousand vehicles per year.

In terms of specifications, the hatch should register about 4.10 meters in length and a wheelbase close to 2.60 meters, ensuring more interior space and trunk in the range of 350 liters. The design will follow the brand’s global visual identity, with an interior dominated by integrated screens and active safety packages.

Under the hood, the range should offer the 1.0-liter naturally aspirated engine for the entry-level configurations and the 1.0-liter turbo for the intermediate and luxury variants. The transmission will be a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. There is also the forecast of a 48-volt mild hybrid system, in line with the trend of partial electrification of the national market.