Hyundai Motor Company Australia has introduced a sportier and even better-equipped version of its big-selling Accent hatchback. The Accent SR joins the Veloster SR Turbo and recently launched i30 SR in Hyundai’s growing range of Australian-developed SR models.
First previewed at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show, along with i30 SR, Accent SR will replace the outgoing Accent Elite hatchback. Like its SR stablemates, this new Accent variant offers an affordable blend of sporty good looks, everyday usability, and fun-to-drive dynamics.
The Accent SR offers as standard Hyundai’s higher-output 1.6-litre D-CVVT GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) Gamma petrol engine married to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with sequential manual mode transmission. The fun-to-drive, sports-tuned suspension has been developed in Australia to specifically meet our unique market demands, and is available with a range of complimentary sports-oriented enhancements.
Apart from its livelier direct-injection Gamma engine, the Accent SR includes as standard equipment:
- Retuned, locally developed sports suspension
- Six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic with sequential manual mode
- 16-inch machined-face sports alloy wheels
- Projector-beam headlights with LED positioning lamps, automatic dusk-sensing operation and headlight escort function
- Sporty rear spoiler
- Cruise control
- SR badges on the rear hatch and above the front wheel arches
Accent on more power and torque
The Accent SR’s powerful and economical 1.6-litre GDI Gamma engine is shared with the new Accent Elite sedan and Hyundai Veloster. With advanced direct-injection and Dual-Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) the petrol engine develops 103kW at 6300rpm and 167Nm at 4850rpm; a handy 13kW and 11Nm more than the MPI (Multipoint Injection) 1.6-litre in Accent Active. In the 1450kg Accent SR, the power-to-weight ratio becomes an impressive 90kW/tonne for the manual SR.
Gamma 1.6-Litre GDI Petrol Engine | ||
| Transmission | 6-speed M/T | 6-speed A/T |
| Max Power (kW) | 103 kW @ 6,300 rpm | |
| Max Torque (Nm) | 167 Nm @ 4,850 rpm | |
| Fuel Consumptions (L/100km) | 6.1 | 6.6 |
| CO2 combined (g/100km) | 145 | 158 |
The revamped Accent Elite sedan is available with a six-speed automatic transmission with cruise control as standard.
Combined fuel consumption for the Gamma 1.6-litre GDI Petrol with six-speed manual transmission is 6.1L/100km, while combined fuel consumption for the six-speed automatic variant is 6.6L/100km.
Australian-tuned sports suspension for Australian roads
Like its stablemates, Veloster SR Turbo and i30SR, the new Accent SR’s sports-oriented suspension was tuned in Australia by Hyundai Motor Company Australia engineers in collaboration with specialist engineers from Hyundai Motor Corporation in Korea.
The Accent SR’s unique suspension tune was achieved via advanced computer simulations together with 37 comprehensive ‘real-world’ road evaluations, and two closed high-speed evaluation sessions carried out at the challenging Marulan Circuit, south-west of Sydney.
Hyundai’s engineers evaluated a total of 20 front damper builds and 17 rear damper builds during the refinement process. Importantly, rear dampers were changed from twin-tube to high-performance monotube Mando units, the Korean brand increasingly being used on big-name Korean- and European-built performance cars.
Together with the revised sports damper tune the front spring rates have been increased from 2.4kg/mm to 2.5kg/mm (+4%), with rear spring rates decreased from 2.0kg/mm to 1.9kg/mm (-5%). The front stabiliser bar was decreased in thickness from 23mm to 21mm.
“These hardware changes deliver sharper turn-in, quicker response and enhanced body control, all while retaining – in fact, actually improving on – Accent’s supple ride,” says Hyundai Motor Company Australia Product Planning Manager, and lead development driver, Andrew Tuitahi. “The Accent SR features a higher output engine and a new suspension set-up which as a pleasant by-product also make it great fun to drive at a keen price.”
Safety
Across the entire line-up all Accent models offer a suite of passive and active safety features, helping it achieve a maximum 5-star rating in the ANCAP vehicle safety assessment program. Standard safety technology includes Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), four-channel, four-sensor Anti-skid Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and six airbags.
Accent Elite Hatch is available in a choice of seven exterior colours including Sunflower, Crystal White, metallic Sleek Silver and Veloster Red; and three striking Mica options of Ocean Blue, Green Apple and Phantom Black. All are matched back to a stylish black tone interior now offered in a stylish woven cloth finish.
The New Accent SR is available in five exterior colours, Sunflower, Crystal White, Phantom Black, Veloster Red and a unique SR-only Sonic Silver metallic finish.
Pricing
Accent Active | Accent Elite | Accent SR | ||
4DR | 5DR | 4DR | 5DR | |
| 1.6L MPI 6-speed manual | $16,990 | $16,990 | – | – |
| 1.6L MPI 4 speed automatic | $18,990 | $18,990 | – | – |
| 1.6L GDI 6-speed manual | – | – | – | $18,990 |
| 1.6L GDI 6-speed automatic | – | – | $20,990 | $20,990 |
* All prices are Manufacturer’s List Price. Price excludes dealer delivery and on-road costs
Metallic paint option price = $495
