Sydney show: Blown Hyundais take centre stage

HYUNDAI will wheel out two radical new forced induction image-leading concept cars at this week's Sydney motor show as part of an intensive rebranding exercise that could include an extensive local rally program.

A radically styled and turbocharged Accent and a wild supercharged Elantra will steal the limelight at what will be called Forced Induction Corner within Hyundai Town at Darling Harbour, though management insists both locally developed cars are strictly concept-only.

The aim is to show both the public and Hyundai's South Korean head office what can be done to lift the performance image of the brand.

Hyundai Automotive Distributors Australia managing director Doug Croker has made clear his desire to sell performance versions of the brand's entry level models in Australia and even if the factory shows no interest in producing them, it is likely that at least the Accent turbo will be sold in limited numbers under the low-volume manufacturer's scheme.

"It's basically a kite-flying exercise to gauge interest from the public," general managing public relations Richard Power said.

"We've been at them (Hyundai HQ) for some time now, so the time came for us to do our own thing.

"Both cars realise a substantial boost in performance over the standard cars, but at the same time they preserve all of the originals' driveability and ADR noise and emissions requirements.

"The problem is our long five-year warranty - we need the suppliers to come with us on that." Externally, the bright yellow Accent will feature a Sick Division bodykit comprising aggressive front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a large rear wing. It will ride on 18-inch chromed alloys, behind which lies full-house twin-coil suspension with adjustable spring preload, rebound damping and castor/camber geometry.

The show Accent will also feature a booming new sound system and, while the suspension system is said to cost around $3900, Hyundai says a less extravagant version of it could be offered to Accent buyers for around $1500.

Under the hot Accent's bonnet lurks a Garrett turbocharger and Chiptorque engine management system that combine to liberate an extra 50 per cent of peak power at the front wheels.

With 76kW available at the standard Accent's flywheel, expect an output of around 100kW from the turbocharged 1.5-litre Accent.

Meantime, the hot Elantra to appear in Sydney will feature a wild new bodykit produced by Astrel, Hyundai's local accessory brand name, and to be made immediately available through Hyundai dealers, plus an Eaton supercharger that should boost the standard 2.0-litre Elantra's peak power of 104kW by a massive 70 per cent.

The local production of the show specials by HADA is linked, at least in philosophy, with a desire by general manager marketing Peter Evans - the former Toyota R&D man partly responsible for the turbocharged Corolla Sportivo - to create a local Hyundai rally program.

"There's an opportunity to spend a large amount of money on rallying and we'd like something to leverage the rally participation - otherwise we fall into the Toyota trap of having a WRC Corolla and not having any performance Corollas to sell," he said.

Both Hyundai's performance concept cars and the possible local rally program are part of Hyundai Australia's desire to broaden its client base by increasing its appeal to younger buyers and producing a complete product range.

It hopes to achieve the latter by releasing a number of future commercial vehicles plus the Equis V8 luxury car.

Sold as the Sentinel in some markets, the front-drive Equis is South Korea's flagship limousine and comes with a 3.5-litre V6 and a 4.5-litre V8 producing in excess of 200kW.

"Equis is a stately car these days and though it would be a bit hard for current Hyundai customers to swallow, it could fit into the Hyundai range nicely in a couple of years," Mr Power said.

Mr Croker was also upbeat about Hyundai's burgeoning future model prospects but said significant dealership retraining would be required to support the increased model range.

He said Hyundai Australia's 143-dealer network would be rationalised over the next few years to ensure the company's profitability.

Accent on rally

TO rally or not to rally? That's the $1.5 million question being debated at HADA.

The interest is there from top management with Hyundai general manager marketing Peter Evans given the go-ahead to work out a budget to go toe-to-toe with Subaru in the WRC class of the Australian Rally Championship.

And $1.5 million per annum is the figure Mr Evans came up with, the purchase of a WRC Accent from Motor Racing Developments (MRD) in the UK alone accounting for about $750,000.

That sort of money is beyond HAD so it is now chasing support from Hyundai headquarters in South Korea and from outside sponsors to help make the rally program happen.

If it all comes together, Canberra driver Neal Bates is the favourite for the drive, his long-term tie-up with Toyota coming to an end this year.

"One of the issues with Accent is to make it appeal to young people and I think rallying is a way of putting a younger spin on Accent," Mr Evans said.