The production version of the Hyundai RB Concept has officially been christened the Solaris for the Russian market. A slightly tweaked-on-the-outside version of the sedan known elsewhere as the Verna or the Accent, the real changes took place underneath in order to handle Russian climes. A more powerful battery and enduro headlights, heating vents for rear seat passengers, a four-liter washer fluid tank and mudguards all around will help alleviate concerns in Northern Russia.
Further north, Siberians can add more cold-proofing in the form of heated front seats and mirrors, a de-icer for the wipers, and an emergency stop signal that activates in an accident. Engines are suspected to be a 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 109 horsepower, or a 1.6-liter four with 124 horses, working through either a five-speed manual or six-speed auto.
Hyundai would like to see 85,000 Solaris’ rolling out of its Russian plant and into Russian hands every year between the sedan and a five-door hatch. It is expected to be going against the Volkswagen Polo sedan, launched not long ago and also built in Russia, and the Dacia Logan.
