Hyundai Atos-replacing i10 Caught Unawares

Further to our spy photos of the car published only last week, the Hyundai Atos replacement, to be rebranded the i10, has surfaced again, this time wearing little more than a dirty bronze paint job - completely free of any camouflage standing in what must be a Hyundai development centre.

The leak, published by CarScoop, reveals for the first time the styling of Hyundai's new five-door city / sub-compact car, which replaces the aging 10-year-old Atos. Branded as the Amica in the UK market and rebadged as a Dodge in the US, the i10 will face competition from examples such as the city cars jointly-developed between PSA Peugeot Citroen and Toyota with their C1, 107 and Aygo models.

Boasting plastic front bumpers that stretch up to badgeline and stylish wrap-around front lights, the i10 appears remarkably dissimilar to its C-segment sibling, the recently-introduced i30. Non-body coloured panels continue along the sides of the car, with black plastic handles present on the doors and strips traversing the side.

A choice of three engines is expected on the new line-up, featuring two petrol units and one diesel. A 65 hp 1.1-litre petrol and a 75 hp diesel unit of the same capacity will be first on the market with an 80 hp 1.2-litre petrol engine following later on.

Bloggers at CarScoop suggest that the new i10 will go on sale early next year and be produced in Hyundai's Indian plant at Chennai. Stay tuned for official photos and details.