Hyundai Puts The Accent On Diesel

The Hyundai Accent turbo-diesel has been unveiled as the latest member of the company's expanding diesel family.

Available in one version, the five-door 1.5 TD GSi, the latest addition to the Accent family weighs in at a highly competitive on-the-road price of £9,295 and is on sale now.

Combining the versatility and space of the familiar Accent with a 1.5 turbo-diesel common-rail engine (already seen in the popular Matrix mini-MPV), the Accent 1.5 TD GSi is the perfect family car for those watching their budgets whilst retaining all their creature comforts.

The 1493cc engine has been developed entirely in house at Hyundai's Namyang research and development facility in South Korea, and is part of a family of efficient, clean diesel engines developed by Hyundai.

The Accent 1.5 TD GSi returns an impressive 62.8 mpg on the extra urban run, 39.2 mpg urban and 51.4 mpg combined. It goes from 0-62 mph in 14 seconds. It delivers 82 bhp @ 4000 rpm and 184 Nm/136 lbs.ft of torque @ 2200 rpm, and has a top speed 105.6 mph.

However being a diesel doesn't mean it's lacking in all the equipment you would expect in a family car. Based on the equivalent petrol-engined GSi, the following is standard equipment: driver and passenger airbag, five speed manual transmission, central locking, electric front and rear windows and power steering.

The Accent diesel becomes the fifth Hyundai to be offered with diesel power; already the two-litre common-rail engine is available in the Santa Fe, Trajet and Elantra, while the 1.5 litre diesel is available in the Matrix.

The Getz supermini, which launches this autumn, will also receive the 1.5 TD engine next year.

And don't forget all Hyundai cars come with a three year unlimited mileage warranty and three years RAC Assistance.