South Korean carmaker Hyundai has updated its best selling car Verna to keep up with the times.
Verna Fluidic has been rechristened as Verna Fluidic 4S with the 'four s' standing for style, safety, sophistication and speed. Hyundai has made several tweaks and cosmetic changes on the exteriors and interiors of Verna to make it stylish. The new look Verna promises an enhanced performance and all together a new driving experience. The New Verna Fluidic 4S will be competing with the likes of Honda City and Maruti Ciaz.
Verna, which was actually Accent Excel, had facilitated the entry of Hyundai into the Global market and enabled it to penetrate the market in South America, Europe and even in the Americas. The car, which first hit the market in 1996, was re-badged as Dodge Attitude and sold in South American market by Chysler.
However, in the Indian market both Verna and Accent Excel were different cars. Hyundai continued to manufacture Accent Excel even as Verna made its entry and it still continues to do so even after it stopped manufacturing Verna.
Hyundai has brought out four engines - two petrol and two diesel - with automatic transmission and other tweaks which its competitors have not dared to make.
The 1.4l petrol engine carries a power of 107 ps and has a torque of 13.8 kgm whereas the 1.4l diesel engine carries a power of 96 ps and torque of 22.4kgm. The 1.61 petrol engine is good enough to emanate 123 ps and with a torque of 15.8 kgm while the 1.6l diesel version packs a power of 128.08 ps and has torque of 16.60 kgm. Both the diesel and petrol versions of the car are available with four speed automatic and six speed manual gear box options respectively.
Design: The aerodynamically designed car resembles a wild animal on prowl, which speaks more about the power of the vehicle. Hyundai had tweaked the traditional grille with two chrome linings making it resemble more like a Toyota. Projector head lamps, bumper fog lamps, tail lamp and alloy wheels add beauty to the exteriors.
Interiors: Hyundai has taken great care to improve the interiors. The top-end version of the car has leather seats and comes with six air bags. Hyundai has also introduced the curtain airbags in certain models which none of its competitors have done. Parking camera with sensors, ABS, rear disc breaks, impact sensor, door lock-cum-locking system, 16 inch tyres are some of the features in the new Verna.
Of course, top-end variants of the car has all these unique features.
The Verna Fluidic 4S gets a new stereo and new steering system which can be adjusted. The seats are comfortable. However, a higher belt-line gives one an impression that the seats are a bit low and will cause some problems for people who are not very tall. There is enough leg space at the rear for three persons to travel comfortably.
The steering adjustments in Verna is similar to that of I20 and is superb, though it is expensive. A big glove box, random storage spaces , USB charging ports are some of the new features in the car. The boot space is 465 litres and is spacious. The gas filled shock absorbers will make driving a breeze on gutter filled roads.
Driving: The new generation engines from Hyundai will give the user their money's worth in terms of performance and mileage and it is environment friendly too. The powerful diesel engine, which gives a power of 128 ps, is fairly responsive even at low speeds. Braking, handling and cornering the car at high speeds is smooth and comfortable. Verna Fluidic 4S is an ideal buy for people eyeing a car in the mid size segment.
Price: From 10.34 lakh onwards
To test drive Verna 4S contact Popular Hyundai@9895790650