Hyundai Accent / Verna debuts in Beijing
The latest generation of the Hyundai Accent has been unveiled in China at the 2010 Beijing Automotive Exhibition, leaving a mountain of questions regarding the fast moving sub-compact economic car. Is it going to be the global car? Is it coming to Europe?
Would it be manufactured in Bursa plant in Turkey? Would it coexist with i30 or become i30 sedan?
The new Accent's overall cabin dimensions are bigger than the rivals’ and such is the case with the trunk. Also echoing the story that we've heard back in 2005, when the previous generation Accent was presented, there're two petrol engines tuned for better fuel economy.
The outgoing generation of Accent for the model year 2005 called Accent MC was designed in the USA and sold worldwide, especially in the States, Canada, across Europe, northern Africa and Asia.
Accent MC has been in production for five years now, and still is, in two body variants. The 4-doors sedan, which is a popular option because of its large trunk and the 3-doors hatchback with moderately altered front facia and a completely original rear end. The 3dr was one of the most affordable cars in its class and one offering great value for money, especially in the USA, where it was leading the sub $10,000 price range with America’s best warranty. The 3dr variant was used as a starting point for development of a sporty looking car, tuned by the Hyundai’s Performance Parts in Canada.
Although the Accent has been a success in terms of brand building and sales figures, it was pulled out from certain European markets, appearently to make room for the Hyundai i20 hatchback. It was a sane decision, but it left the Hyundai’s model range without an affordable sedan.
What now seems to be the China-exclusive variant of Accent combines a coupe-like roofline, sportness and futuristic design in one affordable subcompact sedan with a spacious 454 litre trunk.
Hyundai is targeting China’s strategically important C1 segment with Accent. Tailored to tastes and trends of the local buyers, it offers moderate fuel consumption without sacrificing performance at high revs. The all-aluminum 1.6L DOHC Gamma engine is now being fitted inside the Accent, instead of the cast iron block 1.6L DOHC Alpha II engine. The more powerful Gamma engine delivers 120HP at 6,300rpm, thanks to the CVVT. Other energy efficiency innovations include smart alternator and air conditioning compressor plus the adoption of motor-driven power steering. Staying lower to the ground, with smaller frontal area and a sloping roofline, the new Accent has an impressive aerodynamics which contributes to its good fuel economy.
Even though the four-speed automatic transmission hasn’t been upgraded in this generation, such powertrain fully satisfies China’s Step 3 fuel economy regulations – two years ahead of schedule.
More eco-friendly of the two being offered is the 1.4L DOHC Gamma engine which replaces the 1.4L DOHC Alpha II engine, adding 9HP to a total of 106HP available at 6,300 rpm. It comes with the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or the four-speed automatic. This engine delivers power at high revs, and still lacks a six-speed manual gearbox for better fuel economy in extra-urban environments.
The new Accent is built on an all-new low-floor platform at the company’s highly automated plant in Beijing from July and will go on sale in the second half of this year. Hyundai will launch it in the Chinese market first, and then gradually introduce it to other regions. When it comes to Europe, it will be equipped with small displacement diesel engine from the i20.
Special ultra-high tensile strength steel has been applied to the car to enhance the overall stiffness of the body structure for better crash protection. Hyundai is aiming to satisfy the CNCAP 5 rating. Thanks to the highly rigid body, the suspension is more securely anchored thus enhancing ride and handling characteristics and eliminating vibration and booming noise.
Car’s wheelbase and its low overall height, give it extra stability and a very stylish look but without incurring a penalty in cabin size. In fact, the overall cabin dimensions are bigger than the rivals’.