Seems to be merely a make-up job by Hyundai, such practice is generally followed when car maker desperately wants to push the sales of a fading model, or something all new is on cards, but is either of the case most applicable with i10? Don’t think so for a reason that this car is yet enjoying masses of sales in India.
A while back when Maruti Suzuki refurbished Zen Estilo with new face is because the too-much girlish front looks made some potential buyers pull away from that specific old model, Although, while with the new i10, I feel Hyundai is trying to embed it along with their new line-up of models, like Avante in terms of looks, Just related to the ongoing trend which is being followed by many other auto-manufacturers too.
PS: Hyundai Motors India has confirmed, Launch is on 23rd September 2010.
Drive Safe,
350Z