Test drove the new Avante

[Liu38]

Went to Seoul for work two weeks back.

 

Pass by Hyundai showroom and saw a very nice car...brand new Avante. Walk in to the showroom with my Korea colleague.

Nice Very very nice indeed - exterior and interior. I was shocked when look at the specs:

1) 6-speed gear box

2) ESP

3) Auto wiper, light, cruise control, folding side mirror

4) Auto parallel parking

5) 140 horsepower

6) Sunroof

7) 6 airbags

8) Reverse Cam and GPS

7) Keyless entry with Start/Stop button

8) ECO drive feature. on paper 16.5km/L

8) many more

All in for just 25K SGD. WOW.....

 

I asked my colleague to do a test drive. In korea, test drive is easy, just pass the driving license to the sales person and you can drive the car off without sales person. So, my colleague drive for a while and I took over. Power!!! I was pitty that on lower gear the engine noise is noticable. On gear 3 onwards, it get more quiet.

Cruising at higher gear is just enjoyable. I believe, next year will be the year of Avante, if the pricing is right. Avante - I love it.

Edited September 2, 2010 by Liu38

[Liu38]

Sorry, I attached a Kia K5 picture. -- K5 is the new Magentis. I didn't have time to test drive.

[Caravan]

You never test drove the K5? It knocked the i45 off the sales chart!

[Liu38]

Indeed, K5 is the best seller in Korea. The price is about 30-33K SGD. With that pricing, I think I will get K5 instead.

[Zztensor]

If i strike 4d big time, can consider upgrading to the new Avante.

[Shull]

the thing is..to keep the price low,our local dealers are always importing the lower end, stripped out version..so you most prob won't even get close to the specs of those sold in korea..

 

this is especially true for bread and butter jap/korean makes..and sometimes even conti..

[Kilatz]

Honestly, that looks like the makings of a good car.

 

Drove my friend's 2008 Avante to KL...smooth and stable...can even go to 160 without much strain. So this new one should be better right?

[Ff2004]

it seems that korean made car design is getting better and better.

toyota has too much to learn from the korean.

[Fourwheels]

i love the GDI and 6-speed transmission. Avante is going to be ahead of many similar class sedan!!!

[Sons_of_singapore]

Anyone know when is the 2011 Avante coming to Singapore?

[5936]

No wonder I see until blur blur.

 

But kia is also very nice looking.

[Ithunk]

avante is a **** car

[Liu38]

Likely is year end in Singapore. It should be the best 1.6l car in the market so far.

[Imaginary]

Specs are impressive for a 1.6L family sedan.

[Ferraricalifornia]

but ultimately,

 

have to see how KMC package their cars....

 

cos it's still disappointing for their base ix35 and i45 2.0L....

 

haiz....

[Caddilac]

Spec wise Singapore won't be getting the same standard as Korea...

But we should be getting Dual CVVT engine with 6spd auto, which is already ahead of the Japanese, so it should still be a very strong contender!

[13177]

Saw the pic of the new Avante, looks like smaller version of i45! And it is a 6 speed car, if the price is right, i wld think the new Avante will sell as gd as the old Avante.

[Drumstick]

If Korea is marketing it for about 25k sgd...

wonder what would the value be like in SG without coe?

 

25k+100+20% = 55k?

 

if really 55k+coe... erm... a bit on the high side...but factoring the gadgets on it...maybe worth the price?

was hoping for it to be in the range of 40k+coe...

hrmm...any latest info on when will it reach our shore??