Hyundai Alcazar CNG Spotted Testing

Published: Saturday, April 30, 2022, 15:31 [IST]

The CNG variant of the Hyundai Alcazar has been now spied testing in India. This new spy shot comes just days after the CNG variant of the Kia Carens was spied in the country.

The Kia Carens and Hyundai Alcazar are some of the best choices for anyone looking for a 7-seater vehicle in the country. Now, both companies are looking forward to launching the CNG versions of their respective models.

As per the spy shots, the design of the CNG variant of the Hyundai Alcazar remains identical to the standard variant of the Alcazar SUV, which in turn is based on the highly successful Hyundai Creta SUV.

Being a 7-seater, the Hyundai Alcazar looks substantially more premium and bigger than the Hyundai Creta - Courtesy of its redesigned front grille and taller roofline.

On the other hand, the design of the Kia Carens CNG looks identical to the standard variant with its fresh design. However, the MPV-like design is very well executed and looks very stylish with a lot of premium-looking bits.

Despite both manufacturers being part of a South Korean chaebol, and both the companies having kept powertrain options almost identical in the past, this time both companies have taken slightly different routes as both companies have tried their own strategies in terms of powertrain options.

While Hyundai offers two engine options on the Alcazar, Kia offers three engine options. However, the CNG variant on both the South Korean 7 seaters will be offered in one engine option.

Speaking about engines, the Hyundai Alcazar comes with two engine options, where the 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine produces 113.45bhp and 250Nm of torque.

On the other hand, the 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol produces 156.90bhp of peak power and 191Nm of peak torque, this engine is the one that is currently being modified to run on CNG.

Though both these engines on offer can be specified with 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission, the CNG variant will come with 6-speed manual gearbox only.

The Kia Carens comes with a choice of three engine options. The base petrol engine is a tried-and-tested 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine with 113bhp of power and 144Nm of torque, whereas the 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine is the same unit as the one in the Alcazar and produces 113.5bhp and 250Nm of torque.

The third engine option on the Kia Carens is a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine with138bhp of power and 242Nm of torque. This engine is currently being tested to run on CNG fuel.

Though the turbocharged petrol unit comes with a 7-speed DCT unit, the CNG version is likely to sport a 6-speed manual unit.

Thoughts About upcoming CNG Variants Of Kia Carens & Hyundai Alcazar

We expect, Kia Carens to perform slightly better with the CNG fuel, thanks to the additional torque from the turbocharged engine. Apart from that, the pricing of the CNG version of Kia Carens will be at least Rs 1 lakh less than the equivalent Hyundai Alcazar.