SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8
This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you can get at home.
* To read another of our road tests, pick one from the menu on the left
* Please note that prices quoted are those in effect at the time the vehicle was tested
Launch report - Hyundai H1 Wagon and Panel Van
31 January 2009
This is a launch report. In other words, it's simply a new model announcement. The driving experience was limited to a short drive over a prepared course chosen to make the product look good. We can therefore not tell you what it will be like to live with over an extended period, how economical it is, or how reliable it will be. A very brief first impression is all we can give you until such time as we get an actual test unit for trial. Thank you for your patience.
For those whose needs encompass the movement of people or cargo, Hyundai Automotive South Africa released two versions of its H1 transporter last January.
The wagon seats 9 in leather-clad, air-conditioned comfort with space for a generous amount of luggage, while the panel van derivative is more utilitarian, but allows buyers a generous range of options with which to upgrade as cash flow permits.
Aimed at small business owners in the hospitality and tourism sectors, as well as private buyers with large families (yours, mine and ours), the wagon offers a generous mix of comfort, safety and value.
There are sturdy crumple zones front and rear, four reinforced ‘rings’ aligned with the key body pillars and linked with them across the floor and roof, and side impact protection beams in all four doors. An all-disc braking system with four-channel ABS and electronic control of the fore/aft distribution of hydraulic pressure ensures maximum retardation whatever the load.
The voluminous body (the overall length is 5 125 mm and width is 1 920 mm) ensures generous space for all kinds of users, and the 3,2-metre wheelbase allows for three rows in the nine-seater bus. Interior height is 1 350 mm – a number which adds up to generous space whether the load is animate or inanimate. The massive tailgate with low sill height makes for easy loading, while ground clearance of 190 mm permits even the worst of roads to be confidently tackled in the course of the H-1’s duties.
Both versions share the 2,4-litre Theta petrol engine with its16-valve cylinder head and multi-point electronic fuel injection, producing 126 kW and 224 Nm. It is refined and smooth and configured specifically for torque in the middle range. Drive to the solid back axle is via a five-speed manual gearbox.
Leather furnishings all round add to the upmarket ambience for rear occupants, as do the independent controls for fan speed and air temperature. These, along with four air vents, are mounted in the ceiling. In addition, there are windows in the rear doors and the rear quarterlights hinge outwards from their leading edges for added ventilation.
There’s a six-speaker frontloaded CD sound system, electrochromic rear view mirror (the days of reaching out to select the night time setting are gone) and electric front windows with a one-touch down function for the driver.
Ride comfort, handling, and safety are all upgraded in the bus with its most fundamental change being fitment of a five-link, coil spring rear suspension system to go with widest-in-class front and rear track widths. The combination of these attributes enhances ride comfort considerably with settings fine-tuned (including gas-filled dampers) to work in harmony with the McPherson strut front suspension. Handling characteristics are docile yet precise with confidence-inspiring roadholding. Front seat occupants have the added security of airbags and seat belt pretensioners.
Drivers will find the H-1 Wagon easy to park and along with generous glass area and substantial mirrors, an electronic park distance control system is fitted to the rear bumper. Fog lights are fitted front and rear.
With the H-1 Panel Van, Hyundai is able to meet the steadily growing need for a vehicle that can transport high-volume, high mass loads in a secure environment.
Dual sliding rear doors, twin side-hinged cargo doors and a low floor are basic requirements for this and Hyundai has added a large dose of user-friendliness to make the H-1 Panel Van an ideal companion for many trade and business users.
For example, floor and side-mounted securing rings allow for loads to be secured, while the driver’s seat has a sturdy tubular frame behind it to protect against unexpected cargo movement.
The van is fitted with leaf-spring rear suspension. This simple and durable configuration contributes to the vehicle’s payload of just over 1 100 kilograms. That means that as well as load measuring up to 2 375 mm in length, 1 620 mm wide and 1 350 mm high, it can also carry close to a genuine tonne – provided the driver doesn’t tip the scales at much over 100 kilos.
Electric windows are fitted – with auto-down for the driver. Rear fog lights are a push of a button away. The H-1 Panel Van also features a standard Radio/CD system. There’s an electrochromic day/night rear view mirror to prevent being temporarily blinded by a following vehicle with its headlights on high beam.
The options list includes central locking, air conditioning, alarm and immobiliser to enable business users to upgrade the vehicle to their exact specification. Hyundai doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach, realising that many corporate customers prefer to start with a well-balanced package and then add features if they see fit.
Specifications
Prices: R289 900 (wagon)/R234 900 (van)
2 359 cc 4-cylinder inline, with 16-valve DOHC head
Power: 126 kW at 6 000 rpm
Torque: 224 Nm at 4 200 rpm
Tank capacity; 75 litres
Zero to 100 km/h (claimed): 16,5 seconds (wagon)/17,9 seconds (van)
Maximum speed (claimed): 182 km/h (both)
Warranty: 5 years/150 000 km
Service plan: 5 years/100 000km
This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.
What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.
I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to in order to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and visit to kick back and relax. So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!
Comments?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you thoroughly disagree with what I say? That's your privilege, because if everybody agreed on everything, the world would be a boring place. All I ask is that you remain calm, so please blow off a little steam before venting too vigorously. Contact me here
Back to Home page
This site is operated by Scarlet Pumpkin Communications in Pietermaritzburg.
Unless otherwise stated, all photographs are courtesy of www.quickpic.co.za
Copyright this business. All rights reserved.
SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8