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Hyundai Motor America introduced the all-new 2012 Accent with best-in-class standard fuel economy and power at the New York International Auto Show earlier this year. This marks the U.S. debut of the latest version of the popular subcompact sedan and the new top-of-the line, more functional Accent five-door wagon. The entry level Accent three-door models have been discontinued. The new Accent redefines expectations in the subcompact category by offering the company's distinctive and upscale "Fluidic Sculpture" design, best-in-class standard fuel economy, exceptional roominess and a full complement of standard safety features.
Offered in GLS trim for the four-door sedan and GS and SE trim levels for the all-new five-door wagon, power for the 2012 Hyundai Accent is generated by the all-new all-aluminum 1.6L Gamma four-cylinder engine. Torque is communicated to the pavement through the standard M6CF1 six-speed manual gearbox or the available A6GF1 six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control.
The Gamma engine's most notable feature is its use of GDI, a first for the subcompact category. By precisely controlling the injection of fuel, GDI allows for better fuel economy, increased power and reduced emissions. The application of Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) on both intake and exhaust camshafts allows for increased efficiency, improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
The new Accent rides on a rigid structure that utilizes high-tensile strength steel to deliver a strong, light and stiff body which is 22 percent stiffer than last year's model. As a result, Hyundai engineers had more flexibility in suspension tuning leading to a better balance between handling precision and ride comfort. The control hardware for the Accent employs a traditional MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and twin tube shock absorbers. The rear suspension uses a torsion axle setup with coil springs and monotube shock absorbers.
Inside the passenger cabin, the longer wheelbase for 2012 allows for superior interior volume and passenger space. So much so in fact that while the car's exterior dimensions are consistent with those of traditional subcompacts, the new Accent is classified by the EPA as a compact. In Hyundai's world, inexpensive doesn't mean cheap. The Accent is loaded with the automaker's arsenal of active and passive safety features - including traction control, stability control, four wheel disc brakes with anti-lock and six airbags. Additionally, each trim level is impressively equipped with a roster of standard features.
Hyundai engineers have had some interesting things up their sleeves. But this one may take the cake as being the most interesting ever seen in a car.
Hyundai Engineering Plastics, Shinki Intermovile, Plastech, and Kopla all worked together to bring the new Hyundai Accent and Elantra with interior pillar trim partly made of volcanic rock. This step was taken since wrapping the specific interior parts in cloth would be too costly. Apparently the volcanic rock when mixed in with plastic resin and fibrous material can give off an upscale appearance by mimicking cloth. To be exact, the mixture is 0.5% volcanic rock, 1% fibrous material and 98.5% plastic resin mixture.
"We had a supplier come to us that was using volcanic rock, and we were trying to find different types of (additive) that made stronger plastic resins," Jake Welland, engineering manager at Hyundai-Kia Technical Center.
Hyundai didn't say exactly how much money is saved from this new
method, but Welland said that it costs roughly half as much to injection-mold a
pillar trim piece with volcanic rock than actually wrapping a piece of plastic
in cloth like many luxury makers do. Other than the pillar trim however, Hyundai
doesn't feel the need to expand its volcanic rock mixture elsewhere in the
car.