Accent hatch and sedan

HYUNDAI belatedly replaced the MC Accent with the fourth-generation RB series in mid-2011, slotting between the smaller i20 and i30 hatch.

Available in two body styles (four-door sedan or five-door hatch), three variations were available – Active, Elite and Premium.

Initially all RBs were powered by a 1591cc 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder Gamma petrol engine producing 91kW at 6300rpm and 156Nm of torque at 4200rpm with the aid of continuously variable valve timing.

As before, the front wheels were driven via a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox.

Based on the variation of Hyundai’s B-segment light-car class platform that underpinned a range of vehicles including the i20, this Accent conformed to class convention by utilising MacPherson struts and coil springs up front and a coupled torsion beam axle with coil springs out back – but adopted Hyundai’s distinctive ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language.

Bigger than any previous Accent, the RB’s springs, dampers and tyres, as well as the electronic mapping of the motor-driven power steering system, were honed in Australia to create a more dynamic drive.

All models included six airbags and a “segment-first” Vehicle Stability Management system (VSM), which incorporates electronic stability and traction control systems with four-wheel disc brakes, anti-lock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution as standard to help it achieve a maximum five-star ANCAP crash-test safety rating.