New Concept Car: Hyundai Concept RB

The Moscow Motor Show doesn't get much play here in the U.S. as it doesn't hold the cachet of other international shows, but that doesn't mean it's not worth checking out. After all, the new Audi A7 is launching there, along with this little-noticed Hyundai Concept RB.

Consultation with Russian auto publications reveals that this car is actually the latest interpretation of the Hyundai Verna, or to American buyers, the Hyundai Accent. According to Hyundai Motor Russia's own press release, the Concept RB is really just a thinly veiled look at the production model, which most expect to retain the Verna name. The new Verna recently debuted in China at the 2010 Beijing auto show.

Russian buyers will be able to pick up the new four-door coupe in the spring of 2011 with two variants of Hyundai's Gamma four-cylinder engine onboard. The first is a 1.4-liter mill good for 107 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque, while the second ups the ante with 1.6 liters of displacement, 124 horsepower, and 115 pound-feet of torque. Both are gasoline-powered and feature continuously variable valve timing and, according to Hyundai, best-in-class fuel economy. They can be mounted to either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission.

That's all well and good for the Russian market, but what does it mean for us, namely, which design cues will we see on our new Accent -- more RB or Verna? Naturally, we also expect more powerful engines and more transmission cogs in any U.S. or European market offerings, but few other necessary changes seem readily apparent. We put in a call to Hyundai of America to get the scoop, but were met with an official "no comment." With the company's recently revealed quest to reach 50 mpg CAFE standards, though, we wouldn't be surprised to see this car turn up outside of Russia in the near future.
Thanks to: Motor Trend