SANTRO SURGES: The Santro, Indica and Zen are the immediate options for people who like to upgrade themselves from a smaller, relatively no-frills car like M-800.

Hyundai Motor India Limited, a subsidiary of South Korea's Hyundai Motor Company, launched the 'tall boy' Santro in India in September 1998. Later, the company upgraded it to Santro Zip Drive. It got another facelift a year later -- Santro Zip Plus.

In May 2003, the car saw another change in looks with the introduction of the Santro Xing.

The Santro was the leader in the compact car or B segment in 2003-04, selling 100,017 units. The company sold 7,088 units of Santro Xing in April. Though Santro's official sales figures for May are still not available, analysts said the Santro sold about 6,500 units making it the hot favourite after the Alto, M-800 and Indica.

Santro Xing is available in four models. The Santro Xing XE (Solid) is priced at Rs 346,368 (ex-showroom, Mumbai). Its XE ABS (Metallic) will cost Rs 365,509 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Photograph: Hyundai Motor India Ltd

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