HYUNDAI GETZ (From Warrington Guardian)

HYUNDAI GETZ

HYUNDAI'S biggest seller, the Getz supermini, has received another boost with the introduction of a diesel model.

The £8,695 Getz CRTD GSI five-door uses Hyundai's latest generation 1.5 litre common-rail, turbo-diesel, three-cylinder engine already seen in Accent and Matrix.

The new car is credited with a consumption figure of just under 60 miles per gallon according to Government figures. It can reach 60 mph from standing in 16.5 seconds.

Standard equipment includes driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, power steering, electric front windows, split/folding rear seats, ISOFIX seat anchorage, a stereo/radio RDS CD player and a rear spoiler.

The Getz range starts with the £6,995 1.1 GSI three-door, rising to the 1.6 CDX five-door and 1.6 Sport at £10,145.

Shortly, Hyundai will also introduce a Getz 1.3 Sport model.

The 1.3 unit fitted to mainstream models generates 82 horsepower at 5,500 revs and is exceptionally smooth - and the five speed manual transmission is one of the nicest gearboxes in a small car I have experienced.

Top speed is claimed to be just over 100 miles an hour and the sprint from standing to 60 can be achieved in under 10 seconds.

Getz, unlike so many other vehicles of its genre, is extremely roomy at the front, the back and overhead. Indeed the claim for the latter is that it exceeds that in the Mercedes E-Class.

The GSi specification features powered steering, ABS brakes, a Sony radio and CD player with a removable front and RDS, electric front windows, central locking from the driver's door, twin airbags and an immobiliser.

If there's a downside to Getz it is its interior trim. Drab is the word that comes to mind - though Hyundai are convinced that potential buyers will be impressed by its minimalism. Even the audio receiver is as black as the fascia - simply a silver surround like those on the central instruments would have lifted it.

The rear bench seat can moved backwards and forwards to make best use of the room available and the squab can be split 60:40. The third central rear seat is equipped with a three point belt as well as a height adjustable head restraint.

Safety features include front and side airbags and those ABS brakes, assisted by electronic brake force distribution, and are something not fitted as standard to many of the car's entry-spec rivals.

Hyundai's pioneering five year warranty, which has still not been matched in the UK, continues to offer customers unrivalled driving cover. The warranty is an unlimited mileage offering, is fully transferable between owners and applies across the complete range.