I have a nice new theory. Sedans are from Mars and notchbacks are from Venus. What else can explain the startling change of character when a boot is chopped and a hatch door is added to a sedan? Why would anyone do that? A reasonable explanation would be that it gives the best of both worlds, but by that logic, it should be a classic compromise too. But to my eyes, a notchback looks absolutely Euro-chic and brings in that element of sportiness to the otherwise boring family car equation. (Quick, which was the first diesel-powered notchback in our country? Can’t get it? Well, it was the Peugeot 309 GLD. That car and its engine were built to last – alas the company that built it in India didn’t.)
By plonking the incredible Detroit Diesel powerpack under the bonnet of the good-looking Viva, Hyundai India has produced an utterly desirable automobile. Despite the fact that the nice and aggressive Viva grille was substituted for the smiling visage of the sedan. Now, you are used to hearing things such as ‘practical,’ ‘value-for-money’ and even ‘reliable’ when we are talking about Hyundais – but ‘desirable’? It is no sledgehammer supercar, yet, allow me to assert this point, it is no humdrum sedan either. That makes it one Hyundai, this side of the stylish Tuscani coupe, that you can actually yearn for. More so if you have a minimum of 50 km to commute every day.
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