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The accent is on success

Hyundai's trusty Accent will soon see a successor. How does the new car measure up, asks ASHISH MASIH

THE EYES HAVE IT This is the best viewing angle of the new Accent, also known as the Verna abroad. From other angles, the new car lacks equal design élan

Here are three good reasons why the current Accent still sells in decent numbers despite being around now for over five years without a facelift. 1) It's reliable, 2) spares don't cost a bomb and 3) it offers good value for its size. But a lot has happened in the Accent territory in the years that this car has been around. The Honda City, Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Aveo, to be precise. The Accent no longer takes on just the Esteem and Ikon like it did at launch - it pretty much has to handle all comers in the 5 and 7-lakh rupee range.

Skin deep

Looking at the new car you'd find it difficult to tell what car it is because it looks very different from the current Accent. Ground up, it is totally a new car, built around an all-new platform. With brand new mechanicals and new gen engine options, this Accent seems to hold the same promise of offering outstanding value.

A Toyota-like grille gives the car a mini-Corolla look. It is also bigger than the current model - a clever move by Hyundai as the new car is taller and wider than both the Fiesta and the Aveo and almost as large as the City. Of significance is the 2500mm wheelbase that is the longest in its class and the key to unlocking greater passenger space.

The front end is dominated by ovoid headlamps with side indicators neatly integrated into them. The mildly flared wheel arches and the large, trapezoidal tail lamps are an attempt to spice up an otherwise very unassuming styling package, which lacks the futuristic design flair of the City. The car, however, is contemporary to look at and a distinct generation ahead of its boxy predecessor. The overall shape is smooth and sleek; however, the styling is pretty bland. The car looks good from most angles but lacks the `wow' factor.

Deeper inside

The interiors of the new car are bright and airy and made with better-grade materials than before. This lends it a quality feel, more in the league of the City, and should be a cut above the Fiesta, if not the Aveo.

The double-curved dashboard, which swoops upwards from both sides into the central console, has a pleasing flow to it. The sound system is located close to eye-level so it's easy to operate, as are the chunky air-con control switches.

Passenger space is also generous for the class, with ample legroom and width. The front seats are large and will comfortably accommodate 6-footers. At the back, there's good under-thigh support. It's all reasonably well put together and has a very thorough specification for the money. Electric power steering and power windows should be offered across the range.

The car gets an all-new suspension but the basic layout hasn't changed. The car follows convention, with McPherson struts up front and a torsion beam axle at the rear. Hyundai hasn't opted for an independent set-up for the rear wheels, possibly in the interests of better and cleaner packaging and optimal boot space.

Hyundai will offer the new car with three brand-new engine options. The pair of all-aluminium petrols - a 1.4 and 1.6, will replace the 1.5 and 1.6 units the current carmaker's Accent comes fitted with, and this is a good thing.

The right hearts

The unresponsive and unexciting motors of the current car, coupled with a not too eager gearbox always undermined driving pleasure in the Accent. Both the 1.4 and 1.6 are twin-cam 16 valve units and made of lightweight materials in the quest for better efficiency and performance.

The new 1.6 motor comes with Continuous Variable Valve Technology (CVVT) and produces a whopping 130bhp. The 1.4 produces a healthy 95bhp and this base motor, with an emphasis on fuel efficiency, will be the engine that current Accent owners would like to opt for. We expect the chassis to be biased towards comfort rather than performance, but with these engine options, the car should offer an involving drive.

However, the ace in the pack will be the all-new, four-cylinder 1.5 litre CRDi engine which produces a class-busting 110bhp - this is 28 horses up on the existing three-cylinder Accent CRDi. Expect performance to be nothing short of shattering and don't be surprised if the new car sets a performance benchmark which cars even twice its price can't beat.

Hyundai has put a lot of effort in reducing Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels. The sub-frame and body parts have been strengthened and reinforced, whilst hydraulic, cylinder-type engine mountings were adopted with a more efficient hood padding system to further cut down NVH. Attention has been paid to reducing wind noise with strategic padding used to seal and isolate wind and vibration hot spots.

In general though, the new Accent has the qualifications to equal some other cars in its class. Sold by the country's second largest car-maker, a company known to offer peace of mind, expect the new Accent to be value for money. The Aveo and Fiesta better watch their step around this Korean!

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