There was a time when so many Hyundai Accents were on our roads. Well, there still is a lot, but the point is that we never got to see a consistent update to the model. Following Hyundai’s “relaunch” in the country under new management, their current offerings of three crossovers, a 7-seater MPV, and a van are doing well. But maybe it’s time to bring a sedan back into the showrooms, yes?
Hyundai Accent teasers fresh from India
Photo: Hyundai
The photos you see here are for the “Verna”, which is the Accent’s name in the Indian market. The Korean brand is seemingly set to release it in our neighboring country, and they’re building a pretty good hype around it with their “Futuristic. Ferocious.” tagline. All we have to go on, for now, are its blacked-out exterior and some info on the engine(s), but let’s start with the former.
The front is unmistakably Hyundai. That light bar spanning the entire front end’s width has become Hyundai’s signature look, and that’s been carried over into their upcoming sedan. The “diamond” pattern grill also makes its way into the next-gen Accent, another nod to the brand’s modern design language.
Photo: Hyundai
On the side, we have a silhouette of the car’s profile and dare we say it, that front end all the way to the B-Pillar look uncannily similar to that of the Civic. It all rakes toward the back and gives the Accent more of a fastback look than a conventional sedan with a trunk. A smaller greenhouse and sleek lines across the doors and the rear fender give an inkling that this car will look pretty sporty, too.
Photo: Hyundai
Over to the back, you get the same lightbar treatment. The center bar itself neatly incorporates into the vertical light strips on the taillight units’ corners. Taillights being mentioned, a pattern similar to that on the grill was built into its reflector pieces, keeping up with the overall design and motif. If anything, the rear looks pretty classy if you ask us.
And now, on to the engine. There will be two options for the upcoming Accent, and they will be a 1.5-liter MPi gasoline engine that comes mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission (6MT) or an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The second engine option is a 1.5-liter GDi engine – also gasoline – that can also be paired to a 6MT or a 7-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT).
Hyundai‘s been pretty conservative about the details they’ve brought out, and other than what we can describe and these few but specific engine details, everything’s still a guessing and waiting game for now. With their continued success in the Philippines, there may be a chance that the new Accent could make it to our shores. The market does exist, and with it a sort of fan base, too.
We wouldn’t want to let all those people down with just hopes and dreams, right, Hyundai?
