Hyundai puts Accent on value

HYUNDAI aims to bolster sales of its Accent price-fighter with a pair of limited-edition versions - known as Sprint and Lifestyle - that add around $2000 worth of extra kit for no added cost.

External clues that distinguish the Accent Sprint from its standard siblings include sports alloy wheels, a rear-mounted wing and a Sprint badge on the hatch or boot lid. It also gains a CD player in lieu of the standard cassette deck.

The other limited-edition model - Accent Lifestyle - comes with air-conditioning, a CD player and an identifying decal on the rear.

Sprint is available on all Accent models except the GS, which already has a rear wing and its own 14-inch alloy wheels.

The Lifestyle can be specified on all Accent models, although on the GS and GLS which already have air-conditioning standard, the pack adds CD and decal only.

Accent pricing starts at $14,990 for the entry-level three-door model.

The Accent has been the top-selling car in its segment since its launch in mid-2000, but its 10,282 sales until the end of June this year are well down on the volumes achieved by its predecessor - the Excel - in its heyday.

A facelifted version of the Accent is due here next year, along with a new entry-level car that will revive the Excel nameplate.