The Hyundai Getz
Conventional wisdom holds that small cars are not all that popular with Filipino motorists because of their, well, small engine displacement and small cabin size. With gasoline prices hitting all-time highs, however, these vehicles like the five-door Hyundai Getz hatchback are getting a second, closer look from thrifty Pinoy drivers.
If I remember correctly, the Getz was first introduced in the Philippines in the early 2000’s as a gray market import, together with its more popular – and larger – sibling the Hyundai Starex. These early Getz examples were apparently intended for the Indian market. Nowadays both vehicles are imported by the Korean manufacturer’s sole Philippine agent Hyundai Asia Resources Inc.
The 2006 Getz comes in two gasoline-fed versions: a 1.1 liter single overhead cam (SOHC) and a 1.4 double overhead cam (DOHC), and one with a modern 1.5 liter DOHC common-rail direct fuel injection diesel engine, making it one of the few passenger cars in the Philippines – aside from the odd Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz sedan – to be sold with this kind of a powerplant. Manual and automatic transmission is available, although the latter is only sold with the 1.4 liter gas engine.
The 2006 Getz rides in front with MacPherson-type struts with oil shock absorbers, and at the rear with coupled torsion beam axles with gas shock absorbers. It is also equipped with disc brakes in front and drum brakes at the back.
With its diminutive size, I would imagine the Getz to be perfect for driving on city streets.
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For more pictures of the Hyundai Getz, visit The Unlawyer’s Photoblog.
