Hyundai was spotted testing the Chinese Celesta last week in Europe, and now one vehicle has been seen driving around the city of San Francisco fully camouflaged. At first sight, it is hard to tell what it is, but the front end clearly resembles the one of Hyundai.
According to Carscoop, the vehicle’s design is similar to the car that is sold in China as 2017 Hyundai Verna Yuena. This one is offered as a small sedan, which hit the market in China at the end of 2016.
In October, Hyundai held a presentation in China, and they said that the car was “developed specifically for the Chinese market” speaking of it as a “smart urban family sedan that competes successfully in this price-sensitive sector.”
For the record, Verna is the same car as the Accent, but this name is used in international markets, while the Accent nameplate is applied in the US. Thus, the vehicle on the photo is the Hyundai Accent, which is supposed to go on sale in North America this year as a 2018 MY.
Chinese buyers have a choice between two engine options in their Verna. The first one is naturally aspirated 1.4-liter unit good for 99 horsepower while the second one is naturally aspirated 1.6-liter petrol engine that produces 118 hp.
For the 1.6-liter unit, an automatic transmission is offered as an option, while in North America, the 2018 Hyundai Accent will be equipped with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder which is paired with a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox, just like the ongoing model.
During the company’s October presentation they also talked about the new plant and Chung Mong-Koo, the brand’s Chairman said: “Completion of our Cangzhou Plant is the foundation that enables Hyundai Motor to make a new leap forward in China. Together, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors can now produce up to 2.4 million cars annually in China with plants in operation at eight strategic Chinese sites.”
The 2018 Hyundai Verna Yuena is the first model that will be produced in this facility.
