C 2


fast The Manila Times


Y now, if you’re the sort of person who follows automotive news, you already know that the biggest buzz in the local car industry these days is about the arrival of the all-new Hyundai Accent subcompact sedan. This is crucial because the No. 1-selling car in the country right now, the Toyota Vios, belongs to the same class. And as you may also know, other brands— in particular Ford and Mazda—have recently tried to cash in on the popularity of the segment by launching their own subcompacts. It’s but only natural that the motoring community has been ablaze the past few weeks trying to imagine how the new Accent will shake up the subcompact segment. My web site (TopGear.com.ph) has been deluged with pricing and specification inquiries ever since we first broke the news about the Accent’s imminent introduction back in September. That story received hundreds of “likes” from our readers, suggesting that the mere thought of the car’s presence in our market was intriguing, if not entirely electrifying, to the car- buying public. One executive from a rival car brand was even honest enough to admit to me, “Delikado ang auto namin.” On December 2, everyone’s wishes (and every rival’s fears) came true. The new


B HARDTOP


TUESDAY December 7, 2010


Times


two disparate markets with new Accent


Hyundai is targeting


launched


Accent was unveiled to much fanfare. The grandiosity that accompanied its reveal was definitely Vios level. Heck, one could even argue that it approximated the magnitude of a Camry launch, what with highbrow performances from ballet dancer Tiffany Mangulabnan, harpist Noelle Cassandra, pianist Mary Ann Espina and classical singer Lara Maigue. Clearly, Hyundai was trying to send a message. And if I got it correctly, it was that the Hyundai brand in general and the Accent nameplate in particular are now so mainstream and so fashionable that it’s no longer absurd to drag a harpist onto the stage to serenade guests at the unveiling of a small Korean car. I make this observation because I now recall attending a Vios event and I remember an adolescent group of hip-hop dancers prancing about onstage. It was a celebration of youth. And rightly so, since many of the car’s target buyers are college students and young professionals. So to witness a similar car being uncloaked in the company of solemn minstrels—the kind of virtuosos who fill the wafting air with courtly melo- dies befitting a black-tie affair—was a little disorienting.


THE CHASM BETWEEN THE TWO ACCENT VARIANTS IN TERMS OF EQUIPMENT IS PRETTY WIDE AND DEEP. MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE HYUNDAI IS AIMING THE NEW ACCENT AT TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUYERS. THE FIRST ARE THE TAXICAB FLEET OWNERS. THE SECOND ARE THE MORE SOPHISTICATED PRIVATE-CAR OWNERS.


And then it gradually made sense to me. You see, Hyundai—at least for


now—is releasing only two variants of the new Accent. Both are gasoline, with a possible diesel variant expected to follow. There’s the base model powered by a 1.4-liter, 107-horsepower engine, which is mated to a five- speed manual transmission. It costs an attractively low P588,000. And then there’s the top model equipped by a 1.6- liter, 122-horsepower engine that’s paired with a four-speed automatic gearbox. This one will set you back P808,000. At the launch, which was attended by a multitude of dealers, industry executives, customers and journalists, only one unit was presented. Understandably, it was


the higher of the two models. It did strike me that Hyundai wasn’t particularly excited to show off the base model. Even the press materials they gave us didn’t include the usual spec sheet showing the point-by-point differentiation of the two variants. Had I not personally requested for a spec sheet, I wouldn’t have known, for instance, that the base GL model has drum brakes at the back, steel wheels with hubcaps, black-plastic door handles, a fixed bench rear seat, and not a single airbag. At least, however, it has a CD/MP3 player with four speakers, iPod connectivity, power windows, power side mirrors, and a third brake lamp. By contrast, the 1.6-liter GLS Accent boasts such features as the “Blue Pack” fuel efficiency package; audio controls on the steering wheel; center-dash-integrated audio head unit; six audio speakers; high-gloss black finish for the center fascia; fuel- economy indicator; outside temperature indicator; fully automatic air-conditioning with ionizer; leather seats; rheostat for the instrument cluster; 60:40-split rear bench seat; keyless entry; central door locks; heated side mirrors; disc brakes at the back; alloy wheels (although with a rather small diameter of 14 inches); body-colored door handles; repeater signals for the side mirrors; front fog lamps; dual front airbags; antilock brakes; and electronic brake force distribution. As you can see, the chasm between the two variants in terms of equipment is pretty wide and deep. Ah, maybe it’s because Hyundai is aiming the new Accent at two totally different types of buyers. The first are the taxicab fleet owners. Hence, the relatively bare entry-level package. The second are the more sophisticated private-car owners. This is the group that Hyundai was presumably reaching out to when it launched the Accent with a roster of classical musicians. This, to me, explains the disparity in pricing and specification between the two


Accent variants. It tells me that Hyundai will be doing business with two totally different markets: the fleet industry, which is a known Toyota Vios stronghold, and the lifestyle market, which is being hotly contested right now by the Honda City, the Ford Fiesta and even the Mazda 2. On both counts, the competition has every reason to worry. On both fronts, Hyundai has boldly thrown down the gauntlet and made it known to all concerned that it is bent on continuing its march toward domination.


ingear POLYPHONY Gran Turismo 5


THE highly anticipated Gran Turismo 5 has finally been released, with the PlayStation 3 racing simulator now featuring more than 1,000 cars, 70 tracks, a Course Maker, online racing, photo capture and manipulation, a special B-Spec series, 3D peripherals and numerous other items not previously offered. Gran Turismo 5 promises to raise the bar on the franchise’s


quality of design, physics and technology while delivering an ultra-realistic driving experience with unparalleled visuals and lifelike graphics that are difficult to distin- guish from a live race. Taking over six years of development time, the latest installment in this iconic racing sim may prove to be worth the wait.


Country’s best custom cars point to trends in after-m


MORE than 150 prime examples of the customized cars, trucks, SUVs and “project vehicles” provided an estimated 35,000 enthusiasts a glimpse of the latest in automo- tive after-market trends at the recent Manila Auto Salon (MAS), according to show organiz- ers. And emerging as the best trendsetters


among the vehicles displayed at the annual automotive spectacle were the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser BJ70 that’s restored by Dr. G’s Clinic and Charlie Yao, which was crowned Best of Show SUV; the 1996 Toyota Hilux of FM Garage Painting, which was named Best of Show Sport Truck; the 2001 BMW E46 built by


A-Toy Bodykits and owned by Ian King, which emerged as Best of Show Extreme Tuner; and the 2007 Honda Civic FD of Autoline Motorsports/PR Autosport that’s owned by Enrico Ayllon, which took Best of Show Custom Car as well as Best Engine Display honors. A 2000 Toyota Corolla Euro II also received Best in Paint award.


» SPEAKING U


Hyundai launches new exclusive customer program


ALONG with the arrival of the new Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) introduced a distributor-based car loyalty program called the One Hyundai Club, which HARI said is a first of its kind in the country. Designed exclusively for Hyundai customers, HARI said One Hyundai Club offers numerous privileges, members-only benefits and advan- tages to Hyundai owners. The use a One Hyundai card to avail of parts or services at Hyundai dealerships earns loyalty points that can be used to buy merchandise at the One Hyundai Lifestyle Rewards Basket and avail of discounts at LuxureVille Nest Spa, Haagen Dasz, Oliver’s Super Sandwiches, Bioessence and Wendy’s. The club also partners with Assistance


Alliance International to provide its members with a 24/7 roadside medical or travel assistance that includes emergency towing, ambulance support and locksmith service. A One Hyundai Club membership also qualifies one to get a Hyundai-Security Bank Mastercard, which makes processing of transactions with Hyundai dealerships easier, according to HARI.


BY BRIAN AFUANG MOTORING EDITOR


unveiling last week the newest product in its extensive 13-model range.


A FAST TIMES


Harking heavily on the successes of the Genesis Coupe and Sonata sedan, Hyundai said the Accent evokes the same profile, symmetry and aerody- namics found on its pricier siblings but which are now rendered in a “coupe- like” four-door compact sedan mold. As is always the case with new-genera- tion cars, the new Accent has become longer, wider and taller than the previous one, and the new model also now gets the corporate hexagonal grille and scowling headlamps that identify new Hyundais. In short, what the latest Accent speaks is the company’s Fluidic Sculpture design language that’s marked by “undulating character lines” and “sloping fenders” inspired by the “movement and grace of flowing waters.” That’s according to Hyundai. The 2011 Accent is fitted with Hyundai’s Gamma gasoline engines, one of which is a 1.4-liter and the other is a 1.6-liter, with the former mated to a five- speed manual transmission and the latter to a four-speed automatic gearbox.


Hyundai reckoned the 1.4-liter engine makes 106 horsepower at 6,300rpm and 136 Newton-meters at 5,000rpm while the 1.6-liter engine outputs 122 horse- power (6,300rpm) and 156 Newton- meters (4,200rpm). Both engines have multipoint fuel injection and continu- ously variable valve timing systems, which should ensure good fuel efficiency and power delivery while polluting less—all the result of improved combus- tion. Electric assist for the steering lessens load on the engine, too. The top model has disc brakes with ABS and EBD on four corners, and 14-inch wheels wrapped with 175/70 tires. Hyundai said the new Accent—the 1.6-liter “Accent Blue,” in particular— adheres to its Blue Drive program, an advocacy that “introduces a new breed of eco-friendly technologies and products to the global market.” The Accent Blue is equipped with parts that contribute to high fuel efficiency, and according to Hyundai, this is achieved by enhancing the battery’s recharging


“GAME-CHANGER” is what Hyundai Asia


Resources Inc. calls the new 2011 Hyundai Accent, with the Philippine distributor


VERNON B. SARNE


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