Hyundai has released its H-1 Starex as the brand’s all-new business van.
Available as commercial (cargo) and passenger cars, it has the 2.5 Common Rail Diesel injected A engine (4D56). It offers a Euro-IV compliant engine and turbocharged inter-cooled engine, and a 2.4-liter Theta engine that delivers 175ps and 23.2kg.m of torque while giving 9.4km per liter of fuel. This power plant option engine can drive the new H-1 to a 185km/h speed as the maximum and has a fuel economy rating of 7.0 km per liter. It comes with a five-speed manual gearbox or the optional four-speed automatic. This option depends on the local market requirements.
The new H-1 gets the A 2.5 CRDi, a Euro-IV compliant engine which with the help of a Variable Geometry Turbocharger yields 170ps and 40kg m of torque. However, this is true to the EU and Korean markets only.
The 2.4-liter Theta engine is a new offering for markets requiring gasoline propulsion.
At the 2007 Seoul Motor Show, Hyundai first released this van with impressive lines, and more space that contributes to further comfort and convenience.
Project codenamed as TQ, the van is available in several seating layouts. The passenger car can accommodate 8, 9, 11 or 12 passengers while the commercial van can accommodate 2, 3, 5, or 6.
Included in the major new exterior features are the addition of dual sliding side doors, twin swing rear doors (for commercial van only), enlarged wheels and tires (205/70R15 -> 215/70R16), back-up warning system (for passenger van only) and a sliding side window (for wagon only).
Digging into its interior, you will find improved mounting of the transmission gear shift lever to the center fascia to avoid distraction of movement between the driver seat and front passenger seat. You will also see an overhead storage console, an added feature. The new Hyundai H-1 also has an electro-chromic rear view mirror and new roof-mounted air vents for further cooling and heating throughout the cabin.
This new Hyundai vehicle comes with 16-inch front disc brakes. These yield better braking power than the previous H-1 discs. A MacPherson strut front suspension is added to further experience better handling conditions.
The new H-1 diesel version will start under production in August 2007. The petrol version will be under production after November 2007. When these vehicles enter production in August, Hyundai projects 115,000 sales of units annually with the Korean market accounting for 65,500 vans of the total.
About Hyundai Motor Company
A division of the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, Hyundai Motor Company is South Korea’s largest and sixth largest automaker in the world. Its headquarters is located in Seoul, South Korea. In Ulsan, South Korea Hyundai is the largest integrated automobile manufacturing facility in the world and had the capacity to produce 1.6 million units per year.
