JEDDAH: As demand for small cars shifts to higher gear in Saudi Arabia, with the latest industry data noting that the segment captured 25 to 30 percent of sales in 2010, carmakers as well as their distributors in the Kingdom are keen to seize the situation. The increase in small car segment is fueled by increasing demand by Saudis for four-seater passenger vehicles, said CEOs and chairpersons of leading brand car dealers in Saudi Arabia. They agreed that sale of small cars is certainly the biggest growth segment in Saudi Arabia automobile industry today. Against this backdrop, Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors (MYNM), sole distributor of Hyundai cars in the Western region, launched Sunday the new Accent 2011 that comes with a choice of four-cylinder engines - a 106-horsepower 1.4-liter unit and a 121-hp 1.6-liter unit. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. For 2011, the Hyundai Accent continues its tradition by remaining affordable and practical at the same time. The “inexpensive starter car” has a special appeal to teenage/young drivers or serious commuters. However, commercial quantity of the said car, which has noticeably a “stronger road grip”, will still arrive by mid-January next year, company officials said. The 1.6-liter unit is also equipped with a rear view camera and a sunroof. The 2011 Hyundai Accent will be available in GLS sedan and GL Hatchback. For the manual transmission, the Accent has been clocked at doing zero to sixty in just 9.4 seconds. The Accent scores five stars in government crash tests for frontal collisions. Standard safety features include antilock disc brakes on the hatchbacks and GLS sedans. Front-seat side impact airbags and full-length head curtain airbags are standard on all trim levels. The interior of the 2011 Hyundai Accent has plenty of space up front, and visibility is exceptional. Most drivers should be okay with the austere design of the Accent's interior, thanks to its rock-bottom price. The interior of the 2011 Accent is comfortable - more comfortable than an initial glance at the vehicle from the outside might suggest. Cargo space is decent at 16 cubic feet in the hatchback and 12 in the sedan. The 2011 Accent, according to some enthusiasts, is not a sports car by any means, but the substantial savings that the buyer get at the dealership pay off. Its four-cylinder engine produces a measly 110 horsepower and 106 pound-feet of torque. It can be paired with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic. The dual overhead cam design of the Accent's engine is par for the course and remains unchanged from the previous model year. It's a front-wheel drive car that impresses owners with its great fuel economy ratings. The car has a standard 14-inch tires, Upgrade options include Bluetooth, power accessories and keyless entry, an upgraded six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo system with satellite radio, and antilock disc brakes.
