BEIJING MOTOR SHOW: Hyundai ix25 leaked

Hyundai’s all-new i20-based ix25 compact SUV appears to have been outed via a leaked image first published by Italian blog site jokeforblog.blogspot.fi ahead of its world debut at the Beijing motor show on April 20.

Spotted undergoing Scandinavian cold-weather testing as recently as February, the all-new ix25 will be built in China in a joint-venture with Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC).

Hyundai’s first micro-SUV is so far only intended for sale in the world’s largest car market, China, in which Hyundai was outsold last year only by Volkswagen.

Australian Hyundai executives continue to say it’s too early to confirm the local prospects for the ix25, which would be a direct rival for the new breed of mini-crossovers including Ford’s EcoSport, Holden Trax, Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur.

However, given Australians’ penchant for all things SUV, it seems only a matter of time before the Korean giant enters the sub-$20,000 crossover fray, which will also eventually be joined by the Mazda CX-3, Honda Vezel and Volkswagen Taigun.

The ix25 is based on the next-generation i20 platform but will reach the market before Hyundai’s redesigned light car, which will make its world premiere at the Paris motor show in October.

As evidenced by this grainy brochure image, it borrows some design cues from the larger ix35 but has a rear-sloping roofline, new-look grille treatment, back-swept headlights and large lower air intakes.

Hyundai first revealed a small SUV concept in 2011, in the form of the sleeker, more rounded Curb concept.

Expect the ix25 engine line-up to echo that of the new i20, including 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol engines and, at least in Europe, a 1.4-litre turbo-diesel.