Hyundai’s all-new Creta strives to build upon the success of its first-generation with manufacturing excellence to lead the segment.
Story by: Deepti Thore
Nearly five years after launching the first-generation Hyundai Creta, in July 2015, Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has launched the second generation of its successful SUV. Banking on the traction witnessed in case of new launches despite volatile market conditions, Hyundai from positioning the first generation as the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) offering has come a long way. Claimed to have built the new Creta upon the successful ingredients of its first-generation variant, Hyundai aspires to lead the segment. On the sidelines of the launch, stated S S Kim, MD and CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., “I am confident that all-new Creta will continue to lead the segment.”
Claimed to have been manufactured with excellence, the Creta is said to be a strong expression of the ‘Hyundai Spirit’. An outcome of putting Industry 4.0, deep learning and automation to good use, HMIL claims to have attained the highest levels of manufacturing thus far. Assuring a power-packed performance and dressed with a host of comfort and convenience features the Creta is packaged attractively. Designed to suit the Indian market conditions, the Creta is based on six key pillars: masculine and futuristic stance, intuitive experience and comfort, advanced connectivity, smart technology, powerful and efficient next-gen BSVI powertrain and Hyundai assurance. Confident of the value proposition appealing to customers, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) had ramped up production for faster deliveries.
Manufacturing excellence
Engineered to offer a superstructure, at the integrated state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at Sriperumbudur, in Chennai, the company boasts of advanced production, quality and testing capabilities. Ganesh Mani S, Director – Production, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “With our highly skilled and experienced workforce, impeccable engineering 
capabilities and a 23-year rich heritage of ‘Make in India’, the Creta stands a cut above.” Mentioned Mani, a total of 650 fourth-generation robots are said to be involved in the process. An estimated 2,500 connected machines generate 11.7 billion data points per year, leveraged by over 50 data scientists on the shop floor is believed to have played a big hand in the production of Creta. For instance, the company has derived from deep learning techniques to paint sealer quality confirmation. With the help of the Hyundai integrated vehicle inspection systems, that captures 200,000 points on an average, the OEM claims to have ensured foolproof tightening of safety and critical joints. Creta was subjected to tests across 17 drive track variants in a bid to stimulate and fine-tune performance in different driving conditions.
The manufacturing excellence has in effect translated in Creta boasting of an improved superstructure with improved panel form quality. Leveraging a globally monitored die management system and an online vibration analysis. Created on the global body build line, a stringent process monitoring and IT-enabled preventive maintenance were achieved by operating 295 days in three shifts for six days a week. HMIL also credits the three-stage confirmation including weld monitoring system, colour TIP sensor (to ensure Weld Quality) and sealer inspection (to ensure sealing quality. Both the diesel and petrol engines powering the Creta, for instance, have been built using an estimated 700 CNC machines and the integrated statistical process control. The engine parts are verified using high-speed vision to enhance the driving experience. Overall, the Creta can be had in five new powertrain options: 1.5-litre MPi (BSVI) petrol (6MT), 1.5-litre U2 CRDi (BSVI) diesel (6MT/ 6AT) and 1.4-litre Kappa Turbo GDi (BSVI) petrol (7DCT). Powered by the new BSVI engines, the Creta offers three drive modes including Eco, Comfort and Sport. Besides it also offers traction control modes like Snow, Sand and Mud to optimise performance across different drive terrains.
Performance claims
To optimise the driving experience, the car hosts paddle shifters enabling the driver to shift gears with a touch of a finger, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, eight-way power driver seat and tilt steering. The front suspension on the Creta is mounted with McPherson Strut (with coil spring) to offer improved handling. The rear suspension uses a Coupled Torsion Beam Axle (with coil spring), featuring upright shock absorbers for improved ride performance. The advanced aerodynamics combined with strong body structure and extensive use of sound-absorbing and structural engineering materials is said to ensure superior NVH isolation.
Safety assured
The Creta features six airbags in the top variant. Among other features are the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), hill start assist control, rear disc brakes, rear camera with steering adaptive parking guidelines and a theft alarm. Other features include dual airbags for driver and co-passenger, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, driver and passenger seatbelt reminder with pre-tensioner and load limiter, and an emergency stop signal. The child seat is plugged securely with the help of the ISOFIX in a bid to amplify the safety quotient.
Aftersales
Available in three warranty options including- three years/unlimited km or four years/60,000 km or five years/50,000 km, the SUV comes along with three years of onroad assistance, Blue Link subscription and Map Updates along with 15th Day Home Visit (Shubhaarambh). Like other Hyundai products, the OEM claims to offer the lowest TCO with the second generation Creta. ACI
