Hyundai Launches 2007 Accent Three-Door at SEMA

In about the same time it took you to read the headline for this article, Hyundai has announced its all-new three-door Accent. Give or take a few days, within the period of a month, South Koreas biggest carmaker has made good on their Accent SR Concept, one of the unexpected surprises at this years Frankfurt Motor Show, translating it into a much tamer production ready vehicle.

Co-developed with subsidiary brand Kia, the third generation Accent is the paternal twin to the Kia Rio; both vehicles share the same drivetrain and architecture, plus many similar features. While Kia offers a practical five-door hatchback version in addition to a sedan, Hyundai aims to perk up its entry-level vehicle lineup by including a sporty 3-door hatch variant to offset the simple if not ordinary Accent four-door sedan.

While its obvious that the production version of the Accent wont be as slick or drool-inducing as the SR Concept, Hyundai has kept the basic design consistent. Due to cost related issues, the 3-door will share its more rounded nose with the sedan, as opposed to the concepts edgier and wider headlamps, while the grille is also different, featuring a color-keyed single-bar design.

Without the roof-top spoiler, body kit and rippling fender flares, the production Accent looks less pumped up, but its still a stylish vehicle. The three-door hatch bucks the trend of most economy cars by keeping its overall height profile low, unlike the new Toyota Yaris or GMDAT (Chevrolet-Daewoo) Aveo. A higher metal to glass ratio and high side beltline make it more car-like in appearance, and should help to lure in buyers who arent keen on tall-roofed two-box subcompacts.

The stylish new Accent is available in two value-packed trim levels: GS and GSi. The base GS model will come standard with ABS brakes, six airbags, color-keyed mirrors, and spoiler, plus Hyundais class-leading 1.6-liter 110-horsepower inline-four featuring performance and economy-boosting CVVT variable valve timing. Top of the line GSi models add air conditioning, power windows and door locks, fog lamps, heated mirrors and keyless entry, as well as 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 205/45VR 16 tires.

For its debut at the SEMA show, Hyundai not only showed the nicely equipped GSi, but a tuned version equipped with add-ons and goodies. The list of features includes everything from a racy body kit to a cold air intake system, power sunroof, sporty aluminum side sills and pedals, and a chrome-tipped exhaust. In terms of sound and hi-fi, the specially-tuned Accent 3-door features a 220-watt, six-disc CD equipped Kenwood satellite-radio head unit with iPod connectivity.

Hyundai is putting in an immense effort into improving its product lineup, and the new Accent 3-door is concrete proof. The message is clear - good value, great styling and impressive performance need not require breaking the bank; a message its competition will soon be waking up to.

Although the new 2006 Accent 4-door is arriving in showrooms shortly, buyers must wait until spring 2006 before the 3-door goes on sale in in North America - designated a 2007 model. Pricing will no doubt be extremely competitive.