Hyundai Motor America 10550 Talbert Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 MEDIA WEBSITE: HyundaiNews.com CORPORATE WEBSITE: HyundaiUSA.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HYUNDAI FOR 2003 Miles Johnson Senior Manager, Quality, Service and Technology (714) 366­1048 [email protected] ID: 28879 A Leader in Quality and Value Aug. 30, 2002 ­ Hyundai enters the 2003 model year following record U.S. sales in 2002. Discerning car and sport utility vehicle buyers will find a lineup of 2003 Hyundai vehicles that are unique in their styling, proven in their reliability and performance, and unmatched in their value. Every Hyundai is aggressively priced and loaded with standard features and safety systems usually found only on more expensive cars. Plus they’re backed by The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty. By offering five‑year/60,000‑mile bumper‑to‑bumper coverage, and a remarkable 10‑year/100,000­mile powertrain warranty, Hyundai stands firmly behind its ever‑improving automobiles. Looking at the 2003 model year vehicle line from Hyundai, it’s easy to see why Hyundai has quickly built a track record of producing quality vehicles. Hyundai’s 2003 model lineup is led by the sporty all­new Tiburon with available V6 engine and 6­speed manual transmission. The entry­level Accent has been extensively restyled and refined for 2003 and the sporty Accent GT model joins the lineup. Also new for 2003 is the sporty Elantra GT 4­door sedan. The strong Hyundai lineup for 2003 also includes the Elantra GLS sedan, Elantra GT 5­door hatchback, the value­packed midsize Sonata sedan, the Santa Fe sport utility vehicle, and the luxurious XG350 sedan. This lineup of quality vehicles will continue to enhance Hyundai’s image as an automaker whose reputation stands on quality, trust and value. Tiburon Three words describe the all­new sporty Hyundai Tiburon for 2003 – styling, performance and value. With its sophisticated European styling, available V6 engine and 6­speed manual transmission, the Tiburon is the new leader in the sporty coupe market segment. The clean, bold lines of the Tiburon emphasize vitality and strength. The Tiburon’s performance now matches its sporty looks. Available for first time in a Tiburon is the powerful 181­horsepower aluminum DOHC V6 engine and it can be matched to a 6­speed manual transmission. The potent drivetrain combination is available in the Tiburon GTV6 package. Four wheel disc brakes and a 17­inch wheel and tire package provide handling and stopping power to match the engine performance. ACCENT Restyled and refined for 2003, the Accent continues to lead the entry­level segment in the U.S. Four Accent models are available – Accent 3­door, Accent GL 3­door, Accent GL 4­door and Accent GT 3­door. All Accent models for 2003 are powered by Hyundai’s sophisticated 1.6­liter DOHC four­cylinder engine rated at 105 horsepower. The Accent gets a new look for 2003 with revised front fenders, hood, grille, headlamps and front bumper. At the rear there are new tail light assemblies, rear deck and bumper treatment. The standard equipment list on the Accent GL 3­door and Accent GL 4­door is impressive and includes air conditioning, driver’s seat with built­in armrest, tachometer, digital clock, tinted glass, 60/40 split folding rear seat, rear window washer/wiper (3­door), remote trunk release and child safety rear door locks (4­door). ELANTRA The Elantra, which was all new for 2001, features a longer wheelbase offering more headroom, rear leg room and hip room in the cabin. The third­generation Elantra also features upscale European styling. For 2003 there are now three Elantra models available ­­ the Elantra GLS four­door sedan, the Elantra GT 5­door and the new Elantra GT 4­door. Now Elantra buyers and enjoy precise European handling and leather seating in either a 4­door or 5­door Elantra GT. Powered by a 2.0­liter DOHC inline 4­cylinder 16­valve engine, the Elantra also has side air bags as standard equipment, a unique feature in this price class. The third generation Elantra is smoother and quieter than the previous generation with the addition of a front subframe, hydraulic engine mounts, eight­counterweight crankshaft, ribbed engine block and integrated intake resonator for improved engine smoothness and noise reduction. The Elantra GLS is loaded with standard features that include: air conditioning, side impact air bags, power windows, door locks and mirrors, AM/FM/Cassette stereo, tilt steering column, rear window defroster, front seat belt pretensioners, two­speed intermittent windshield wipers, remote fuel door, remote trunk release and more. The sporty Elantra GT, both 4­door and 5­door models, are fitted with all that standard equipment plus standard leather (yes, leather) seating surfaces, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, fog lamps, keyless remote entry with alarm, purple­lighted instrument panel with trip computer, 15­inch alloy wheels, sport­tuned suspension, rear disc brakes, cruise control, AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers and rear window wiper/washer (5­door). SONATA Restyled and upgraded in 2002, Hyundai’s Sonata midsize sedan for 2003 combines world‑class safety, performance, handling, comfort and luxury features at a surprisingly affordable price. Shoppers for a midsize sedan will be pleased to see the Sonata matches the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in features and performance, but for thousands of dollars less. There are three Sonata models available for 2003 ­­ the Sonata, Sonata GLS and Sonata LX. In addition to the major restyling last year, the Sonata GLS and LX models were upgraded and fitted with Hyundai’s all­aluminum DOHC 2.7­liter V6 engine and a smooth shifting four­speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual override. The base Sonata is equipped with the smooth­running DOHC 2.4­liter four­cylinder engine rated an an impressive 149 horsepower. Few cars at any price offer the array of safety equipment found on the Sonata, including seat‑mounted side impact air bags, a sophisticated front‑seat passenger detection system and automatic front seat belt pretensioners. HYUNDAI XG350 The XG350 is Hyundai’s flagship model in the U.S. – it’s the largest, most luxurious and most expensive Hyundai vehicle sold in America. The 2003 XG350 is designed for descriminating buyers who want a larger, more luxurious vehicle. In 2002 the XG engine displacement was increased from 3.0 liters up to 3.5 liters, resulting in the name change from XG300 to XG350. Powered by a 3.5­liter DOHC V6 engine with 194 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and 216 lb.ft. of torque at 3,500 RPM, the 2003 XG350 is loaded with luxury features: four­wheel disc brakes with ABS, driver and passenger front and side impact air bags, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, projector beam headlights, 16­inch alloy wheels with Michelin V rated tires, trip computer and more. The upscale XG350L model (L stands for for luxury not leather, as all Hyundai XG’s are equipped with leather seating surfaces) adds a power tilt/sliding moonroof, leather­wrapped steering wheel with faux wood inserts, electrochromic inside rear view mirror, memory driver’s seat, heated front seats and rear reading lights to the standard equipment list. For the 2003 model year the XG350 changes are minor and include a revised, easy­to­read instrument cluster and new trip computer display with improved graphics and brighter display. SANTA FE The Santa Fe, introduced in the summer of 2000 as a 2001 model, is Hyundai’s first entry into the SUV market, providing buyers with an affordable, high performing SUV at a low price. The Santa Fe is engineered to provide smooth, car­like ride and handling while delivering excellent performance in all types of weather and limited­traction conditions. The Santa Fe, which was named the best midsize sport utility vehicles in the prestigious AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Survey (VSS) in 2001, also topped the list again in 2002 this time in a tie with the Toyota Highlander. The Santa Fe was the first Korean automobile ever to win this award. In mid­2002 the Santa Fe was revised and refined even more. Buyers indicated they wanted a moonroof option, so it was added. Santa Fe owners also suggested the clock be moved from the overhead console to the center stack, so that change was made as well. In addition, the air conditioning outlets in the center stack were also enlarged for improved airflow. Other refinements include illuminated power window switches, illuminated glove box interior, gas charged struts that make it easier to raise the hood, a revised seat recliner and seat folding mechanism, two outboard ISOFIX child seat anchors, improved map light and overhead console design, chrome PRNDL surround and shift lever button (GLS and LX only) and chrome inside door handles and parking brake knob. There are three models available; the base Santa Fe, the GLS and the LX. The Santa Fe is offered in both front­wheel­drive and Fulltime 4WD configurations. The Santa Fe offers an impressive list of standard features including air conditioning, power windows, 16­inch alloy wheels, four­wheel disc brakes, roof rack, black privacy glass and AM/FM/CD stereo system. The Santa Fe is powered by Hyundai’s proven 2.4­liter inline four­cylinder engine rated at 149 horsepower. The Santa Fe GLS and LX models feature the 2.7­liter all­aluminum V6 engine rated at 181 horsepower. It is matched to a smooth shifting four­speed automatic transmission with Hyundai’s Shiftronic manual shift feature that lets the driver select the gear or leave it in the automatic mode.