G*tz My Goat
by Malcolm Baylis (08 Oct 02)

When you buy a Hyundai you get more than a reasonably good car. It also comes with the country's first five-year warranty, fully manufacturer-backed and without any limit on the mileage. Also there is nothing extra to pay.

But when you buy Hyundai's latest model, you also get one with what has to be the world's worst name: Getz.

Getz? Yes, Getz. Flattering definitely not, but marketing gurus who always know best argue that it is a punchy name - like, it's catchy and fits nicely into "Getz U There" and "Getz U Going". Yuk!

Such a car deserves better. It is a stylish looker, very roomy, provides lots of standard equipment others in its class cry out for, and it comes in at an acceptable £6995 for the entry-level model with its new 1.1-litre engine.

The G*** is Hyundai's first entry into the supermini sector, and it is seen as the ideal vehicle for clawing customers away from the likes of Toyota, Vauxhall and Renault, whose mini-class cars are a tad on the old side now.

Although it was developed at Hyundai's Korean plant, it has been built with Europe in mind, with around 80% of the cars expected to be sold here. United Kingdom sales have been pitched at more than 2,000 sold before Christmas, with next year adding 12,000, making the G*** the company's best seller here. Certainly, in terms of pricing it buries the competitors, for example the Nissan Micra starting at £7250 and the Renault Clio at £7495.

Where it is let down by name, it makes up with ride and drive. Riding on Macpherson struts at the front and coupled torsion beam axle at the back, together with telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers, there is little rock and roll to worry about.

Three Engines At Launch

There is also a choice of engines, the 1.3-litre SOHC and the 1.6-litre DOHC from Hyundai's current range, together with the new 1.1-litre which in fact was derived from the company's existing 1.0-litre unit. The 1.1-litre develops 62bhp at 5500rpm and has 69lb/ft of torque at 3200rpm, producing a top speed just over 90mph and getting the car to 62mph from a standing start in a tick over 16-seconds.

More lumbering than dashing, but work at it through the five-speed manual gearbox and it soon begins to move along comfortably and economically. The 1.1-litre returns nearly 57mpg at the extra urban rate, according to Hyundai's figures, nearly 40mpg on city roads and, overall, has a combined rate of 48.7mpg.

G*** is one of the roomiest cars in its field, the interior space benefiting from the wheel at each corner design. It is not the largest in terms of exterior dimensions, with an overall length of 3810mm and width of 1665mm, but at 1490mm high it is taller than most of the competition.

Because it has been designed with Europe foremost in everyone's minds, there is a straightforward instrument layout, two main dials with lights and gauges surrounding them. The fascia is plastic, but not cheap and nasty, more high-quality.

Altogether there are ten models in the range providing a choice of three trim levels. The 1.1 provides a three-door and two five-door versions with GSi and CDX specifications. The 1.3 comes in three and five-door GSi trim and in five-door form with CDX trim, including a choice of manual or automatic transmission; while the 1.6-litre is five-door only, with CDX and Sport trim and a choice of gearboxes.

Well Kitted Out

Standard equipment for the range includes ABS with electronic brake force distribution, power steering, an audio system including CD player, electric front windows, central locking, driver and passenger airbags, three-point seat belts, adjustable steering column, engine immobiliser and 60/40 split rear seats.

Prices of the 1.3-litre models start at £7495 for the three-door GSi and rise to £9645 for the CDX five-door. Extra equipment on the CDX versions sees the addition of air conditioning with air purification filter, electric mirrors and powered rear windows, remote central locking, front fog lamps, side airbags and tilt and slide sunroof.

Flagship 1.6-litre models come in at £10,145 for the five-door manual and Sport, peaking at £10,995 for the automatic.

As a reminder to those possibly not familiar with Hyundai's engines, the 1.3-litre unit has a power output of 81bhp at 5500rpm and develops 86lb/ft of torque at 3,200rpm. This model reaches 62mph from launch in 11.5 seconds, and has a combined fuel figure of 45.6mpg.

The 1.6-litre car has 104bhp on tap at 5800rpm, a torque figure of 106lb/ft at 3,200rpm, does the 0-62mph dash in 9.6 seconds, and returns 43.5mpg combined.

More To Come

Next year, a 1.5-litre common-rail turbo diesel, already used in the Accent and Matrix models, will join the G*** family. Hyundai is also preparing to launch a face-lifted Accent and Elantra, and, in a couple of years, a revised Trajet.

But back to that warranty. Like most manufacturers Hyundai did offer three years unlimited warranty, but it says the introduction of the five-year deal is the direct result of customer demand. This is a permanent move, not just a limited-time offer.

The new warranty is available to private and fleet users, and applies to all models in the range. As well as having unlimited mileage, it covers virtually all mechanical and electrical components - not the perishable ones, although it does include exhausts, timing belts and shock absorbers.

Also, the warranty can be transferred to the new owner if the vehicle is sold within the five-year period, and the new owner will not be expected to pay any extra for the two additional years.

Getz U Thinking, doesn't it!

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