Its been a while since we’ve seen a new Hyundai Accent on our roads, and as the new model waits in the wings, first details suggest a small car that has benefited greatly from the major advanced made by Hyundai in recent times.

Its been a while since we’ve seen a new Hyundai Accent on our roads, and as the new model waits in the wings, first details suggest a small car that has benefited greatly from the major advanced made by Hyundai in recent times.

When the Accent concept was first unveiled in concept form last year, the gasps of incredulity were clear, even though the Korean manufacturer announced at its reveal that production versions of its RS concept would not be made available. But the concept was promising, and some of its innovations have trickled down to the new Accent, which will be launched here shortly.

The sixth generation Accent is, as these things go, decidedly more grown-up than the car it replaces, though the previous generation model was not made available in South Africa. But the exterior design is more fluid, with the grille now much bigger with chrome accents used on the slats. Lines flowing from the new wraparound headlamps are neat, and complement the lines along the A-pillars, extending to the short overhang at the rear. Body-coloured bumpers are used all round, along with body-coloured exterior door handles and side mirrors.

On the inside, attention to detail spills over to the cabin where the standard kit includes air conditioning, electric windows all round, tilt-adjustable steering column with power steering, radio/CD player, cup- and sunglass-holders and remote releases for the fuel flap and boot lid.

Concerning occupant safety, all models are fitted with a driver airbag, anti-submarining seats, and height adjustable headrests and front seatbelts. High-spec models also have a front passenger airbag with seatbelt pretensioning for both front occupants and ABS.

All launch models are fitted with Hyundai’s new 1,6-litre CVVT (Continuous Variable Valve Timing) with double overhead camshafts to deliver 82 kW at 6 000 r/min and peak torque of 145 N.m at 4 500 r/min. Top speed, with the five-speed manual ‘box, is 190 km/h, while the four-speed auto has a top end of 176 km/h. Fourteen-inch steel rims are standard across the range. All models are fitted with McPherson strut suspension at the front with a torsion beam axle at the rear.

A three-year/100 000 km warranty and a two-year/45 000 km service plan is offered in the price of the new Accent.

Prices:

1,6 GLS manual – R 115 900

1,6 GLS manual (high spec) – R 129 900

1,6 GLS automatic (high spec) – R 139 900

Original article from Car