First look: Hyundai beefs up its new baby

SOUTH Korea’s biggest car manufacturer Hyundai revealed at the New York show last week its third-generation Accent small car, which delivers a reworked exterior, roomier interior and an upgraded 1.6-litre engine.

It comes with that oft-used adjective "elegant", though of more relevance in the available literature are salient facts such as a 45mm increase in overall length (which is realised in increased rear legroom) and a 24mm increase in width to improve on the available shoulder room.

Due for release in Australia late in 2005, the new Accent also stands 76mm taller (which in turn delivers some additional front headroom), rests on a 58mm longer wheelbase and now boasts an interior volume of 2.95 cubic metres.

The front seats are mounted higher for improved all-round vision and in the United States these include side-impact airbags. Dual front airbags and side curtain airbags protecting front and rear occupants are also fitted standard in American-spec models.

The cabin has more storage facilities and is said to move into a higher league with a distinctive new two-tone colour scheme.

The engine in this model is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder featuring variable valve timing and meeting Ultra Low Emission Vehicle certification. Believed to be one of Hyundai’s new aluminium ‘Theta’ engines, the 1.6 produces 82kW of power and 145Nm of torque - a significant improvement over the current engine. It is paired with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic