Alongside its new directed-injected engines and eight-speed automatic transmission, Hyundai unveiled the Verna sedan in Beijing. This is a Chinese-market version of the car you will know as the 2012 Hyundai Accent sedan.
Compared to the current Accent, the new car has a nearly 3-inch longer wheelbase (101.2 vs. 98.4 inches) and stretches 2.4 inches longer nose to tail (170.9 vs. 168.5 inches). Width and height are basically unchanged.
Hyundai plans to offer two gasoline engines in China -- a 1.4-liter inline four-cylinder and a 1.6-liter, both port-injected. The all-aluminum 1.6-liter is rated at 121 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 114 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm.
These are nice upgrades over the current Accent's iron-block 1.6-liter (110 hp, 106 lb-ft), but we wouldn't be surprised if Hyundai makes a fuel economy play and slots in its new direct-injected 1.6-liter GDI engine on higher-line versions of the Accent. Transmissions for the Chinese market will be a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. Cost considerations will likely dictate the same offerings in the U.S., but don't be surprised to see Hyundai add a dual-clutch gearbox down the road.
More photos and video from Hyundai's booth in Beijing after the jump.
rdm925 says:
06:09 PM, 04/26/10
You can see the family design themes. It's lots better than the current model.
hda6spmt says:
06:27 PM, 04/26/10
is it just me? or does the steering wheel look a lot like the honda civics in terms of shape and design...
http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/0/w/g/ag_07civicsi_dash.jpg
most of hyundais recent steering wheel designs seem straight out of honda models...
i dont see any unique aspects of it...
sighh... guess theyll continue to copy
carfreak13 says:
07:01 PM, 04/26/10
The lights are to big but it looks good other than that.
billt9 says:
07:22 PM, 04/26/10
Looks like the best compact car on the market.
isend2c says:
08:38 PM, 04/26/10
@ hda6spmt
It looks more like the one from the GMC Terrain than anything Honda... This car should add spice to the segment, and give people a reason not to buy used, especially with it's warranty. The interior looks a bit plan, but more interesting than anything in the segment short of a Fit.
The front looks like a Tuscon and a Sonata did the dirty deed and made a dwarf child car. The fog lights from the Tuscon with the rest from the Sonata. I'm glad that Hyundai is coming into their own with their designs. Much better than the generic 2006-10 Sonata design (like I own...)
cruiserhead1 says:
09:44 PM, 04/26/10
Erin Riches just gave Hellwig a run for his money on best podium girl shots!
hesotriflin says:
09:46 PM, 04/26/10
I must be missing something but I don't see any cars in the pictures =)
j2j says:
09:48 PM, 04/26/10
@hda6spm
That's more like a GM steering wheel design than anything else.
And Honda has been one of the most notorious copiers these days.
dbnthedon says:
10:26 PM, 04/26/10
Exterior looks good for the interior I would still choose the Mazda 3 or even the Corolla
aznraptor says:
04:12 AM, 04/27/10
what's all this talk about hyundais and steering wheels? I think I missed something :P
technetium99 says:
07:54 AM, 04/27/10
Accent is the subcompact, Elantra is the compact that bests the Corolla in every way except mileage and boredom. This looks so good they really should change the name so it won't be associated with the ugly little spud currently that currently has the name.
lions208487 says:
12:01 PM, 04/27/10
Sorry I got distracted by the models.. Not a bad car either
diggaondemand says:
07:04 PM, 04/27/10
call me crazy.. but this looks more the ELANTRA than the Accent.. look at the overall size and "profile" of the car.. this is to my knowledge the ELANTRA..
DIGGA
drivera1981 says:
10:01 PM, 04/27/10
guess chairman mao knew what he was doing. central planing never looked so good.
erik25 says:
04:21 PM, 12/ 5/10
I like the beige metallic and black top,the heals are a good height and the framework is very strong.....
Oh...i see it's about the car,Hyundai will sell them as donuts ;-))
satyakam says:
11:20 PM, 12/25/10
When It will be Launched in India??