Spy pictures of a mildly face-lifted Hyundai Accent have surfaced the internet. According to some photos which appeared in team-bhp, the changes in the new Accent include a redesigned front grille and a short chrome strip at the rear. There will likely be no changes in the mechanicals as well as interiors of the new Accent when compared with the current model.
The new Accent (could be branded as Accent Transform like the Sonata Transform or the Verna Transform) will be powered by the same 1.5 litre petrol engine that produces 95 bhp of maximum power at 5,500 rpm and 124 Nm of maximum torque at 3,500 rpm.
The Hyundai Accent’s design is beginning to show its age, and wer are not sure the new chrome lip is doing anything to lift the overall looks of the car. But the Accent has been selling more than a 1000 units a month, and probably Hyundai thought it was time to give it a little garnish! The Maruti Suzuki DZire, Tata Indigo and the recently launched Toyota Etios sedan are the closest competitors to the Accent in India currently.
The car stands on 13-inch steel wheels and has standard front fog lamps, body-coloured bumpers, power windows, intermittent wipers, waistline moldings and body-coloured mirrors & door handles.
The Accent’s cabin has a beige colour scheme that gives a refreshing feel. A contoured instrument pod in front of the steering wheel contains the speedometer, tachometer, and fuel and coolant temperature gauges. The seats are made of good quality upholstery; rear-seat legroom and headroom is also adequate. Rear seat splits 60/40 for storage of additional luggage. Also read: Most fuel efficient petrol sedans in India
Hyundai Accent sells at around 1250 units every month. In February 2011, the company sold 1,224 units and in January 2011, the company sold 1,317 units. Hence, the company may not stall the production as long as this minimal sales number prevails. If its possible for the company to plonk in the 1.4 litre diesel mill that powers the Hyundai i20, there are chances that the sales will sustain for a few more years, provided the diesel version is priced competitively.
Hyundai Accent is available only in two trim levels: Accent 1.5 Executive and Accent 1.5 LPG. The company claims a mileage of 16.36 km/litre for the petrol variant and 11.26 km/litre for the LPG variant. The petrol variant can also be fitted with the company’s CNG kit that is available for Rs. 57,500. Hyundai Accent prices range from Rs. 4,99,900 – Rs. 5,36,690 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
