“Innovation is the key to success.” And Hyundai is well versed with this fact. A few weeks back, Hyundai launched an all-new gearbox that grabbed the attention of a lot of people. We are talking about the iMT or the intelligent Manual Transmission in Hyundai Venue. Is it just a gimmick or is really a revolution? Let’s find out about the #leftfree tech.
What exactly is iMT?
iMT or the intelligent Manual Transmission, in layman terms, can be thought as of a mix of an AMT and a manual transmission. You get to enjoy the conventional gear lever, but there is no clutch this time.
It is a tech developed by Hyundai which allows the driver to choose the gears according to his preference while taking care of the clutch engagement and disengagement. The car uses a system of sensors and actuators which senses as soon as the gear is shifted and the clutch is worked on.
So, this is the basic you need to know about the iMT. Now, its time to know about the working and is it better than MT or AMT.
What is under the hood of Hyundai Venue iMT?
Hyundai Venue iMT | Engine Specification
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| Engine | 1.0-litre Kappa Turbo GDi Petrol |
| Capacity | 998 |
| Power | 120ps @6,000rpm |
| Torque | 171.2Nm @1,500-4,000rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed iMT |
- The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is a 3 cylinder engine. Hyundai has done a great job here as the engine is refined and there are very low engine vibrations.
- It is powerful enough and the 6-speed transmission does justice to the engine.
- iMT is smooth, there is no lag at all while shifting. As soon as you start shifting the gear, within a fraction of second, the clutch is disengaged and vice-a-versa.
What all comfort and convenience features are offered with the Hyundai Venue iMT?
Comfort and Convenience Features
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| Smart Electric Sunroof |  |
| Fully Automatic Air Conditioning | |
| Rear AC Vents | |
| Glovebox Cooling | |
| 20.32cm Touchscreen Display | |
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | |
| Arkamys Sound Mood | |
| Steering Mounted Audio and Bluetooth Controls | |
| Hyundai iblue | |
| Cruise Control | |
| Tilt Steering | |
| Telescopic Steering |  |
| Front Ventilated Seats | |
| Smart Air Purifier | |
Hyundai Venue iMT offers a good list of features but does miss on some features like front ventilated seats and telescopic steering. The Hyundai Venue iMT feels pretty comfortable with all the required features offered.
The rear seats feel a bit cramped though. The legroom is not enough for the ones with heights above 6ft. The headroom is enough for short people but will again not be enough for the ones above 6ft.
Take a look: Kia Sonet iMT vs Hyundai Venue iMT | Which one should you choose?
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Is the compact SUV safe?
Safety Features
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| Rear Parking Sensors | |
| Front Parking Sensors | |
| Rear Camera with Dynamic Guidelines | |
| Driving Rear View Monitor | |
| TPMS | DCT Only |
| Impact Sensing Door Unlock | |
| Speed Sensing Door Lock | |
| ISOFIX | |
| High-Speed Alert | |
| ABS with EBD | |
| Dual Front Airbags | |
| Side and Curtain Airbags | In SX(O) Only |
Hyundai Venue iMT is pretty loaded in terms of safety but does lack behind its cousin, the Kia Sonet. The TPMS which is offered in the DCT variants only could have been offered with the iMT. The driving rearview monitor can be helpful and Venue iMT lacks this feature too.
So, let’s answer some questions now!
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How do we start the Hyundai Venue iMT?
Interior It is quite simple. Keep the gear lever in neutral, press the brake pedal and start the car. It is quite similar to the AMT.
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How do we start rolling?
Hyundai Venue IMT Alloy Wheels There is no clutch. So, all you have to do is engage the gear lever, i.e, shift the gear from neutral to first, remove your foot from the brake pedal, and start moving, it’s this easy.
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Can we stall the Hyundai Venue iMT?
In a manual transmission, you can stall the engine by keeping it on a higher gear while the rpm is low. This, in turn, will lead to shutting down of the engine. In an iMT however, the system disengages the clutch as soon as the engine begins to stall. So, the answer is NO.
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Does iMT improve fuel efficiency?
Hyundai Venue IMT Front End If you compare it with a manual transmission, there is no change in fuel efficiency, after all, it’s a manual transmission too. But if compared with the automatic counterparts, it does save some fuel overall.
What will the Hyundai Venue iMT cost?
Variant-wise Features
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| Variants | Price (Ex-Showroom Delhi) |
| SX | ₹9,99,900 |
| SX Dual Tone Sport | ₹10,25,360 |
| SX (O) | ₹11,13,500 |
| SX (O) Dual Tone Sport | ₹11,25,900 |
- The Venue iMT costs ₹1,00,000 less than the DCT variant with the same engine.
- And when compared to the closest manual one, you only have to spend ₹20,000 extra.
So, is the iMT worth buying?
Well, if you are looking out for a car which allows you to change gears at your call while you don’t want to take care of the hassles of the clutch, Hyundai Venue iMT is a great option. The shifting is smooth, the engine is powerful enough and the price is competitive. Although the base model offering iMT costs less in Kia Sonet, the top variant of Hyundai Venue costs less than the GTX+ variant of the Kia Sonet.
iMT is no gimmick and does offer better control as compared to the AMT. It is also easier to operate when compared to MT. What do you think about iMT? Is it a revolutionary tech or not? Do let us know in the comments section below.
