Hyundai says it is watching sales of the diminutive Smart before making an official decision to bring the small i10 to the North American market. The i10, which is larger than the Smart ForTwo, but still somewhat smaller than anything Hyundai or Kia sells in North America, would be marketed as a roomy, efficient five-door hatch.
The i10, which went on sale last fall in more than 70 countries, is assembled in Chennai, India. It’s about 35 inches longer overall than a Smart, but, at just 140.4 inches in overall length, the i10 is still more than 20 inches shorter than a Honda Fit .
An unidentified Hyundai source told Automotive News that beefed-up prototypes for the North American market have already been produced. With more than 400 lbs of additional features to allow the i10 to meet U.S. safety standards, the car would also require a little extra under the hood. In Indian specification, the i10 comes with either a 80-horsepower 1.2-liter four-cylinder or a 66-horsepower 1.1 liter four. The 1.2 averages (on the combined cycle) 47 mpg and the 1.1 sips fuel at a rate of 56 mpg.
Hyundai is reportedly watching Smart sales to test the long-term viability of selling a small city car in the North America. It’s unknown whether Hyundai would badge the car as a Hyundai or Kia .
