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The predator's on the prowl

Hyundai recently chose South Africa to launch the all-new Verna. OUSEPH CHACKO took it for a spin

VROOM VROOM VERNA The Verna's common-rail diesel makes the Accent's threecylinder engine feel antiquated. (Right) The two-tone colour combo liven up the interiors

While the mere mention of Africa evokes pictures of diamonds and jungle safaris in our minds, we discovered that Africa happened to be the chosen location for the launch of Hyundai's all-new mid-sizer, the Verna, which goes on sale this month. An excellent choice we may add. The highways around Cape Town offered virtually everything that an auto correspondent would desire in order to get a feel of the new car. The Verna was driven along narrow, twisty mountain roads to arrow straight ones. Needless to say, the drive offered some fabulous photo opportunities and the fact that South Africans drive on the same side of the road was an added plus.

Just as Skoda's Laura didn't replace the Octavia, the Verna isn't a replacement model of the Accent, Hyundai plans to sell the Verna alongside the Accent. The Verna will take on Honda City, Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Aveo and attempt to win over Indian buyers by offering more than what Hyundai has traditionally been known best for -"value for money" offers. This time around Hyundai seems to have figured out the right concoction in terms of the Verna and are offering more space, action packed performance and better quality. The Verna's shape is pleasing to the eye and comes with a stylish front, which is difficult to miss. Dimensionally bigger than the Accent with a longer wheelbase which translates as more passenger room and the fact that it comes with large windows, play a vital role in giving a spacious feel to the car. The plastic and fabric quality is definitely better on the Verna than on the Accent, the seats are a bit too low and reclined, especially at the back, perhaps to dodge the sloping roofline. The pullout door han dles and the integrated fog lamps lend character to the car.

New generation diesel

While the petrol Verna is expected in three variants, it is only the top-of-the-line variant that will come with a double DIN stereo as standard. The diesel will come with only one variant. All variants have four-wheel disc brakes and ABS on the options list. However, sadly there aren't any airbags.

The Accent's three-cylinder engine is no match to the Verna's common-rail diesel engine, which also happens to be the latest- generation diesel from Hyundai. Developed in-house by Hyundai Europe, this four-cylinder motor has 16 valves, double overhead camshafts and a Variable Geometry Turbine (VGT) turbocharger. The alloy head, iron block, 1493cc motor puts out a healthy 110bhp at 4000rpm, and this makes it very quick. The Verna engine also puts out a good amount of torque, however, power isn't everything, how and where it is produced is important too. This diesel is quite a peaky engine and you have to wait for the turbo to spool up before the Verna gets into the act. Cross 2000rpm and watch the engine pounce. The Verna simply rockets forward. It is shatteringly quick and will make a brilliant long-distance cruiser.

Overall, the CRDi Verna engine's eager power delivery, generous torque and effortless overtaking ability, are rather impressive. The body control of the car is good around the switchbacks and the winding roads of South Africa came as a pleasant surprise. However, the corners begged for more feel from the steering wheel. On the wide, open roads that came later the Verna diesel functioned superbly, at least in terms of acceleration. It well around the 120 km an hour mark, silent and smooth. There was some wind noise at that speed, more than normal, but otherwise it made for an excellent travelling companion.

The roomy rear along with the well-constructed seats offers sufficient space as well. A powerful and fast diesel that drives well and is comfortable makes travel fun, easy and less stressful. In this case, enjoyable is more like it

TECHNICAL DATA

HYUNDAI VERNA
How much?
Rs 7-8 lakh (estimated)
(ex-showroom, Mumbai)
Power
103bhp/110bhp
Torque 14.9kgm/24kgm
0-100kph12.00/11.23sec
Engine
1599cc petrol/1493cc diesel
L/W/H 4310/1695/1490mm

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