Trying to show that small doesn't have to equal cheap, Hyundai Motor America unveiled the 2006 Accent subcompact on Thursday in New York. "The Accent has always been a popular vehicle, but recently, this segment has become highly competitive," said Bob Cosmai, CEO of Hyundai Motor America. Cosmai believes offering an Accent in one well-equipped trim level will attract customers who may have drifted to competitors or considered a larger used car instead. It goes on sale this fall.

NEW YORK -- Trying to show that small doesn't have to equal cheap, Hyundai Motor America unveiled the 2006 Accent subcompact on Thursday in New York.

"The Accent has always been a popular vehicle, but recently, this segment has become highly competitive," said Bob Cosmai, CEO of Hyundai Motor America.

Cosmai believes offering an Accent in one well-equipped trim level will attract customers who may have drifted to competitors or considered a larger used car instead. It goes on sale this fall.

The 2006 Accent is 2 inches longer in wheelbase and overall length than its predecessor. It also is 1 inch wider and 3 inches taller.

The more powerful 1.6-liter engine features variable valve timing and delivers 110 hp and 107 pounds-feet of torque.

Small cars have taken a hammering in recent safety tests.

However, Hyundai is equipping the 2006 Accent with dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for front and rear occupants.As for amenities, standard features include CD stereo, tilt steering wheel, halogen headlamps, driver and passenger vanity mirrors and a split fold-down rear seat with a folding center armrest equipped with dual cupholders.

On the exterior, body-color door handles, mirrors and body-side molding are standard.

INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY HYUNDAI

ALL-NEW 2006 HYUNDAI ACCENT TAKES VALUE
TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL


New York (March 24, 2005) – Over the years, Hyundai and value have become synonymous. Now, with the introduction of the all-new 2006 Accent, Hyundai raises the bar, delivering a higher level of value and sophistication in the small car class.
This third-generation Accent delivers class-leading safety features and a powerful, fuel-efficient CVVT engine, all wrapped in a sleek, new exterior design. The new Accent is also larger in every exterior dimension, which translates into the most interior volume for a sedan in its class. All this provides today’s drivers with affordable and reliable transportation that’s refined, confident and comfortable.
“The Accent has always been a popular vehicle, but recently, this segment has become highly competitive,” said Robert F. Cosmai, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “We believe drivers will once again embrace this all-new Accent with its segment–leading standard safety features, increased interior space, and content that is typically not available in this segment, all of which should accelerate this Accent to the front of the pack.”
This new Accent is more elegant than its predecessor with crisp modern lines, distinctive halogen headlights, and larger wheels and tires that combined provide a strong character. Compared to the competition, Accent has a more refined appearance with body-color door handles, mirrors, bodyside molding, and rear tailgate garnish. The roof-mounted rod antenna not only looks good, but also provides exceptional reception.
The new Accent is roomier than the current model and, more importantly, the competition. Compared to the out-going 2005 model, the 2006 Accent is 1.8 inches longer overall, providing 1.5 inches of greater rear legroom. It’s 1.0 inch wider, which translates to class-leading rear shoulder room of 53.1 inches. It’s 3.0 inches taller, delivering 0.7 inch of greater front headroom. And, it rides on a wheelbase stretched by 2.3 inches. With an interior volume of 104.4 cubic feet, Accent delivers the most interior volume (passenger and cargo) for a sedan in its class.
"We're really moving the needle on interior packaging with the 2006 Accent,” said Robert F. Cosmai. “Increasing the height of the vehicle 3 inches and moving the driver's seating position up 2 inches opens up all kinds of room and flexibility in the cabin. We used this to our advantage in the new Accent – although it's only 1.8 inches longer, it feels like it's moved up a whole class in interior roominess."
The 2006 Accent comes in one well-equipped body style, the GLS sedan. Class-leading safety features include dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and outboard rear seat occupants. Standard side curtain airbags provide an important advantage for Accent owners, as this feature is optional or not available on most models in this class. All Accents come equipped with front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters, which are designed to tighten the seatbelt in the event of a collision. All seating positions have adjustable headrests that can assist in the event of a rear accident, and the rear headrests are shingle-style for improved rear visibility.
Under the hood, Accent has the most powerful engine in its class. It’s new 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing) delivers 110 horsepower and 107 lbs.-ft. of torque (estimated). This new technology not only enhances power output, it also reduces emissions – the new Accent is projected to receive Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) certification. It comes teamed with a 5-speed manual transmission, or an optional 4-speed automatic.
The interior design has also moved upscale with a new, distinctive two-tone color scheme. Standard equipment includes an AM/FM/CD audio system with 4 speakers, a convenient tilt steering wheel, 8-way driver’s seat with adjustable armrest, driver and passenger vanity mirrors, front seatback pockets, and a versatile 60/40 split fold-down rear seat that has a folding center armrest with dual cupholders. For added comfort, air conditioning and a Convenience Package are available. The Convenience Package includes power windows featuring driver’s auto down, illuminated switches on all four doors, and driver’s side power window reserve, power heated mirrors, and power door locks with keyless entry with panic, and 6 speakers.
The 2006 Accent features a surprising level of storage. Accent delivers greater trunk space than its predecessor with an additional 0.8 cubic feet of space for a total of 12.4 cubic feet. Accent has plenty of areas in which to store items, too. There’s a bottle holder and storage pockets located in every door panel, plus storage trays are located in the front and rear.
“Today’s drivers are more demanding, whether they’re in the market for a luxury sedan, like our all-new Azera, or looking for maximum value at an affordable price, which the new Accent delivers,” said Cosmai, “This is just another example of how Hyundai is responding to the needs of American drivers and providing them with vehicles that are fun to drive and economical to own.”
The all-new, affordable Accent delivers a comfortable ride and responsive handling thanks to a front MacPherson strut suspension with coil springs, and a coupled torsion beam rear suspension with coil springs. Unlike some of its competitors, Accent has standard power rack-and-pinion steering for precise feel.
Leave it to Hyundai to deliver everything a small car driver could want, in the form of the all-new 2006 Hyundai Accent.

The Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty
As with every vehicle Hyundai sells in the U.S., every 2006 Accent comes equipped with The Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty, a package that reflects Hyundai’s confidence in the quality of its products.
The Hyundai Advantage includes limited bumper-to-bumper coverage for five years or 60,000 miles, which exceeds the coverage on many cars costing more than twice as much. In addition, Accent buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit) and that service includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses.
Hyundai also provides Accent buyers with industry-leading limited powertrain coverage – 10 years or 100,000 miles – and that coverage remains in effect when ownership of the car is transferred to other family members. Even if the car is sold, Hyundai backs Accent’s powertrain for 5 years/60,000 miles. Anti-perforation coverage is provided for seven years or 100,000 miles. There is no deductible on any of these coverages.
2006 Hyundai Accent – Preliminary Technical Specifications
ENGINE
Type DOHC, four-cylinder, inline (transverse-mounted) with CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing)
Materials Cast iron block/aluminum cylinder head
Displacement (cc) 1.6 liters
Horsepower 110 bhp @ 6,000 RPM (Estimated)
Torque 107 lb-ft @ 4,500 RPM (Estimated)
Valves per cylinder Four

TRANSMISSION

Gear Ratios 5-speedmanual 4-speedautomatic
First 3.62:1 2.85:1
Second 2.05:1 1.58:1
Third 1.37:1 1.00:1
Fourth 1.03:1 0.69:1
Fifth 0.84:1 -
Reverse 3.58:1 2.18:1
Final Drive 4.06:1 4.04:1

SUSPENSION

Front Independent, MacPherson struts with coil springs, anti-roll bar and gas shock absorbers
Rear Coupled torsion beam axle with coil springs and gas shock absorbers


STEERING

Type Power-assisted rack and pinion

Overall ratio: 15.5:1
Turns, lock to lock 3.02
Turning circle 33.1 feet (curb to curb)
BRAKES / TIRES / WHEELS

Brakes Front: Vented disc with floating caliper and pad wear sensor
Rear: Drum; optional solid disc (w/ABS)
ABS: Optional
Tires P185/65R14 all season, steel-belted radialCompact spare P195/55R-15 (Optional)
Wheels 14 x 5.5J steel with deluxe full wheel covers 15 x 5.5J alloy (Optional)

ELECTRICAL

Battery Maintenance free 12 volt, 55-amp hour
Alternator 90 amp

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS

GLS
Wheelbase 98.4 inches
Overall length 168.5 inches
Overall width 66.7 inches
Overall height 57.9 inches
Track, front 57.9 inches
Track, rear 57.9 inches



INTERIOR DIMENSIONS

Head room
Front: 39.6 inches
Rear: 37.8 inches
Leg room
Front: 42.7 inches
Rear: 34.3 inches
Shoulder room
Front: 53.3 inches
Rear: 53.1 inches
Hip room
Front: 50.6 inches
Rear: 49.6 inches

GLS
EPA Pass Volume 92.0 cu ft
EPA Cargo Volume 12.4 cu ft
EPA Total Volume 104.4 cu ft

CAPACITIES

Fuel Tank 11.9 gallons
Crankcase 3.5 quarts
Coolant 5.7 quarts

CURB WEIGHT


Manual 2,354lb
Auto 2,403lb

FUEL ECONOMY

GLS
City Highway
Manual Transmission TBD TBD
Automatic Transmission TBD TBD

Specifications are subject to change without notice.


2006 Hyundai Accent – Preliminary Features
 = standard  = optional -- = not available
Functional Features: GLS
Body Construction:
Unitized monocoque (Unibody) 
Brakes:
Power assisted front disc/rear drum 
Four-channel, four-sensor ABS 
Engine:
1.6-liter DOHC, 16-valve CVVT Inline four-cylinder 
Fuel injection: multi-port 
Steering:
Power-assisted rack-&-pinion 
Suspension:
Front MacPherson struts w/coil springs, and front anti-roll bar 
Rear coupled torsion beam axle w/coil springs 
Transmission:
5-speed manual 
4-speed automatic 
Front wheel drive 
Warranty:
Bumper-to-Bumper, 5-years/60,000 miles 
Powertrain, 10-years/100,000 miles 
Anti-perforation warranty – 7 year unlimited miles 
Roadside assistance, 5-years/unlimited miles 




Exterior Features:
Antenna, roof mounted micro radio antenna 
Bumpers, body color 
Center high mount stop light 
Door handles, body color 
Glass, tinted w/sunshade band 
Headlamps, halogen w/clear lens 
Outside Mirrors, manual adjustment, body color 
Outside Mirrors, power-operated, heated, body color 
Tires & Wheels:
P185/65R-14 
P195/55R-15 
Steel wheels, 14 x 5.5-in. with full wheel covers 
Alloy wheels, 15 x 5.5-in. 
Compact spare 
Passive Safety:
Energy-absorbing Steering Column 
Front Crumple Zones 
5 MPH Bumpers 
Hood Buckling Creases and Safety Stops 
Rear Crumple Zones 
Body Side Reinforcements 
Shift Interlock System 

Interior Features:
Air conditioning 
Rear seat heater ducts 
Cabin air filter 
Ash tray 
Assist handle grips, 3 
AM / FM / CD / Equalizer with 4 speakers 
2 tweeters 
Carpeting, needle punch 
Lighter 
Clock, digital 
Cupholders, front & rear 
Defoggers, electric rear window defroster with timer 
Door trim, full door trim with integrated armrest 
Overhead dome light 
Remote operation: Rear trunk release 
Fuel door and hood release 
Steering column, adjustable tilt 
Steering wheel: urethane 
Power control features:
Power door locks 
Power windows w/driver’s auto-down, all window switches illuminated 
Remote Keyless Entry w/panic button 
Restraint system:
Driver and front passenger airbags 
Occupant Classification System OCS 
Front side-impact airbags, seat mounted 
Side curtain airbags, roof mounted – front and outboard rear passengers 
Front seat belt pretensioners and load limiters 
Front 3-point seat belts w/shoulder belt height adj. 
Rear: 3-point seat belts, all positions 
LATCH Lower Anchors and Upper Tether Anchors 
Child proof rear door locks 
Seats:
Driver's 8-way adjustable with dual height adjustment 
Front reclining bucket seats with adjustable head restraints 
Armrest, folding – driver's seat 
Rear 60/40 split folding rear seat w/center armrest 
Rear seat back pockets 
Seat Trim: Deluxe full cloth 


Meters/gauges:
Speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, tachometer, coolant temperature, fuel level and digital clock 
Warning lights: oil pressure, battery charge, low fuel, door open, airbag, seatbelt, brake fluid level, ABS (if equipped) and check engine 
Warning chimes: key in ignition with door ajar, seatbelt 
Wipers:
Front 2-speed variable intermittent w/washer 
Rear window defroster with electronic timer 

Features are subject to change without notice.

Following sales home runs with revamps of its formerly bland Sonata mid-size and Elantra compact sedans, Hyundai used its now-familiar recipe to remake its entry-level subcompact Accent by:

Making it a bit bigger to be roomier inside.
Adding features more commonly seen in larger and more expensive cars.
Using high-tech powertrain upgrades to increase gas mileage, making the new Accent capable of 40 miles a gallon on the highway.
Amping up its looks in the distinctive new swoopy Hyundai style.
Now Accent, just arriving at dealers, could shake up the subcompact segment populated by rivals such as the Honda Fit and new Ford Fiesta, as well as the Toyota Yaris. Coming soon are a redone Nissan Versa and all-new Chevrolet Sonic.

A bare-bones sedan version, with manual transmission and few amenities, starts at $12,445. That's about $2,000 more than the previous entry model, a base hatchback coupe that's been dropped. The automatic-transmission sedan, which also adds AC and other features, starts at $15,195. Shipping adds $760 to each. A five-door hatchback with a stick starts $14,595 plus shipping.

The old base coupe -- which competed with a special base Nissan Versa to be the cheapest new car in the U.S. -- never sold big because buyers want more features, even at the bottom end of the market, Mike O'Brien, Hyundai America's vice president for product planning, told Drive On at a Southern California intro event.

Accent will test Hyundai's recent record for redesigns that launch with big sales:

The new Sonata mid-size sedan took off after its introduction a year ago and by last month, it was the 13th-best-selling vehicle in the U.S., according to Autodata.

The restyled Elantra compact introduced earlier this year was the 10th-best seller last month and dealers were having a hard time keeping them in stock. Hyundai has brought in some from South Korean plants to supplement inventory from its Alabama plant, which is running flat out making Elantras and Sonatas.

The Accent, made in South Korea, is Hyundai's third model rated at 40 miles a gallon on the highway, following the Elantra and the Sonata hybrid. A fourth, the new Veloster coupe, is due this fall.The old Accent with manual got just 34 mpg highway.

The new Accent also has a respectable 30 mpg city rating. The higher mileage numbers came through better aerodynamics,a weight cut, low-resistance tires and electric power steering.

But the 1.6-liter, 138-horsepower four-cylinder engine alone accounts for a 6.1% increase in gas mileage. Hyundai added direct-injection technology usually considered too expensive for entry-level cars. The engine is mated to new six-speed automatic and manual transmissions.

On our brief drive, we didn’t get a chance to sample the automatic transmission but found the manual to be halfway satisfying. The shifter is light and crisp with appreciably brief throws, but the clutch is a disappointment. It offers nearly zero feel—although it isn’t as empty and soulless as a Toyota clutch—and uses only the top two or three inches of its long travel. Still, Hyundai claims that about 20 percent of Accent buyers opt to row their own.